This hearing is very important for many reasons. The first and foremost is the fact that breast cancer mortality rates are up to 20% higher in Long Island than the national average. This is an alarming statistic, which deserves this close examination by the Environment and Public Works Committee.
Many scientists believe that certain groups of women have genetic variations that may make them more susceptible to adverse environmental exposures. A study recently conducted in Sweden showed that environmental factors may matter more than genetics in determining whether a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. This study found that the environment -- what we eat, breathe, drink, and smoke, including how we live and which chemicals we are exposed to -- accounts for roughly twice the risk of cancer than genes do.
There is a reason so many women in Long Island are being diagnosed with breast cancer, and I believe that the environment here holds the key to this mystery.
I am particularly pleased to participate in this hearing today because of its relevance to legislation I recently introduced with Senator Harry Reid. We introduced S. 830, the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act this past May, and we are pleased that Senator Clinton is a primary cosponsor. S. 830 will establish research centers that would be the first in the nation to specifically study the environmental factors that may be related to the development of breast cancer. The lack of agreement within the scientific community and among breast cancer advocates on this question highlights the need for further study.
This bill will enable scientists and researchers to conduct more comprehensive and conclusive research to determine the impact of the environment on breast cancer. S. 830 will require each Center of Excellence to collaborate with community organizations in the area, including those that represent women with breast cancer. Consumer advocates would also be involved in all phases of this program. While it is generally believed that the environment plays some role in the development of breast cancer, the extent of that role is not understood. Before we can find the answers, we must determine the right questions to ask. We need to step back and gather evidence before we come to conclusions, and that is the purpose of our legislation.
On that note, I would like to turn it over to the witnesses so we can hear their stories and learn from their expertise.