Have you had your Bakelite, organochlorine, Banvel, Roundup, Ronstar, Trimec, Turf Supreme, DBCP, DDT, DDE, kepone, heptachlor, mirex, and toxaphene today? Probably. More often referred to as pesticides, herbicides, or industrial pollutants, some or all of these chemicals may increase “xenoestrogens,” foreign estrogens (produced outside your body) that may be a major contributing factor to rising breast cancer rates.

To reduce exposure, consider opting for filtered water and organic produce as often as possible. And because about 50 percent of women who develop breast cancer have tumors that are estrogen-sensitive, if you’re in that 50 percent, avoid taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), because being exposed to estrogen may promote the growth of tumors.

Deborah Kesten, MPH, and Larry Scherwitz, PhD, are international lifestyle and health researchers and Certified Wellness and Cardiac coaches. They also are the award-winning authors of Feeding the Body, Nourishing the Soul, The Healing Secrets of Food, and The Enlightened Diet. Call them at 415.810.7874 or visit them at www.Enlightened-Diet.com to take their FREE What’s Your Eating Style? Quiz, and to learn more about their Whole Person Nutrition Program for wellness, weight loss, coaching, and books.