Urban women face higher risk of breast cancer

Women living and working in cities may face higher risk of developing breast cancer than those who do not live or work, a new study suggests, citing pollution as its major reason.



Scientists had earlier found that those who have densest breasts are four times more likely to develop cancer. The latest study found that women living in cities are likely to have denser breasts.



Researchers presenting their study to the Radiological Society of North America said women who live or work in cities should pay greater attention to breast screening because air pollution was likely to be the cause of denser breasts.



Breasts are partly composed of fat and partly 'dense' glandular tissue. The new study analysed mammograms of 972 women in Britain who had taken part in breast screening, the online edition of BBC News reported.



The results showed that city women aged 45 to 54 were more than twice as likely to have at least 25 percent of their breasts made of dense tissue as those from the countryside.



'Women who live or work in cities should pay greater attention to breast screening,' said Kefah Mokbel, one of the researchers at London's private Princess Grace Hospital.



'The other implication is that we have to focus on better traffic management and find ways to reduce traffic emissions.



'This is an important issue for the public and politicians, and it's vital that we raise awareness of the link we have found.' Mokbel added.

It is said that air pollution contains tiny particles that mimic female sex hormones and can disrupt the make up of breasts.