Media Advisory

Silent Epidemics:
Breast Cancer, Endometriosis, Chemical Sensitivity

Green MP Sue Kedgley will host three experts at Parliament's Grand Hall this Friday (November 14) to discuss how environmental factors contribute to the epidemics of breast cancer, endometriosis and multiple chemical sensitivity, and how can we reduce our exposure to them.

One in ten New Zealand women and girls are affected by endometriosis, while 2000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Evidence suggests that exposure to many common chemicals found in the household and the environment contribute to the illnesses.

The speakers include internationally renowned Greenpeace Scientist Ms Pat Costner, leading Wellington gynaecologist and endometriosis specialist Mrs Hanifa Koya, and pesticide researcher Dr Meriel Watts.

Topics they will explore include:

* why the rise in breast cancer rates around the world parallels the rise in the use of synthetic chemicals, many of which mimic natural hormones;

* how the oestrogenic environment caused by synthetic chemicals is contributing to breast cancer and to chemical sensitivity and endometriosis;

* why 80 per cent of MCS sufferers are women;

* why there is a silent epidemic of endometriosis amongst young women;

* why breast cancer rates continue to climb despite all the effort put into early detection;

* what we can do to reduce our exposure;

* which chemicals are implicated;

* and which occupations are most at risk.

Speakers: Ms Pat Costner Greenpeace International Senior Scientist, USA with 30 years experience and expertise in the health effects from waste disposal, incineration, the chlorine industry and dioxin.

Mrs Hanifa Koya Wellington Gynaecologist concerned about the environmental causes (such as mercury, dioxin, DDT) of endometriosis. She is launching an endometriosis awareness project in schools.

Dr Meriel Watts Author of The Poisoning of New Zealand, focusing on a range of endocrine disrupting chemicals implicated in breast cancer, including those found in household products and building materials.

Where: Grand Hall, Parliament
When: Friday November 14th
Time: 12.15pm to 3pm

R.S.V.P. Sue Kedgley MP, Green Spokesperson for Health,

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