No Family History: The Environmental Links to Breast Cancer (New Social Formations)
While billions of dollars have gone toward researching treatments, and ultimately a cure, for breast cancer, very little has gone toward studying preventative action, except on the personal level (diet, exercise, etc.). This eye-opening book from health and sociology scholar McCormick explores numerous environmental causes of breast cancer, but more importantly casts a harsh light on the motivations of industries that donate to cancer research while manufacturing carcinogenic toxins. The narrative takes a tour of research data and advocacy groups while following the progress of one Long Island woman undergoing breast cancer treatment. McCormick's text is full of disturbing details, in the form of statistics and individual obstacles; there are thousands of breast cancer diagnoses every year, many for women who take good care of themselves and don't engage in risk behaviors. McCormick also addresses the inevitable question, "Why me?", with a compelling and strident determinism, attempting to jog readers into realizing that giving money and buying products with pink ribbons isn't enough; rather, people must become aware of the chemicals around them and hold corporations accountable with their spending dollars.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.