How to Prevent Breast Cancer: 20 Risk Factors

Cadmium is a widely distributed metal used in manufacturing and present in a number of consumer products. It is used as a metal alloy, currently in nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries (used especially for small electronics because of ease of recharging), although until recently it was also widely used in the manufacture of pigments, metal coatings, and plastics. Cadmium is also found in cigarette smoke.

Cadmium is an estrogen mimicking chemical that has been linked to early puberty (a known risk factor for breast cancer) as well as differences in mammary tissue structure that has been to be a breast cancer risk factor.

For so many health reasons, avoid smoking and breathing in tobacco smoke. In addition to cadmium, cigarette smoke has high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), another source of estrogenic pollutants linked with increased risk for breast cancer.

In the home, store substances that contain cadmium safely away and keep nickel-cadmium batteries out of reach of young children. Do not put nickel-cadmium batteries in the trash, but rather look for special battery recycling or disposal centers in your community.

Find battery recycling near you with Earth 911.