Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition

Huntington’s 2009 Students and Scientists participants - Farooq Ansari, Travis Fishstein, Aliyah Cohen, and Rubab Rehman attend the 6th Annual Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Centers, California.

The Students & Scientists Environmental Research Scholarship Program, a partnership with the Great Neck Breast Cancer Coalition, is comprised of highly-motivated and incredibly intelligent local high school students, who are independent and environmentally conscious. They have had opportunities to work in laboratory-settings to conduct research and most recently they attended a conference with the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Centers in California. These students worked side by side with world-renowned scientists and highly-respected researchers during the conference and had an opportunity to present their own research work about environmental links to disease. The students were asked to document their experience, describing the trip as very educational and the opportunity of a lifetime. Alumni from the program give back to the community through sharing their experiences with their schools, contributing their newfound knowledge of environmental awareness and participating in outreach and volunteer endeavors.

Being given the opportunity to participate in a BCERC conference in California really changed my life. Presenting in such a professional atmosphere made the experience unforgettable. It was very interesting to be a part of such an exquisite level and area of research. By being present at the conference, I was able to learn what people and researchers are currently doing in order to decrease the spread of breast cancer. I also learned the significant and harmful effects of several chemicals in certain products. For example, a chemical compound that was discussed was Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA). This compound was interesting because this past summer I researched the compound Bisphenol A (BPA) and it was exciting to be able to learn about another derivative of the chemical.

Following my internship at the Fox Chase Cancer in Philadelphia, granted by the HBCAC Students and Scientists Environmental Research Program, I had the distinct opportunity to attend the BCERC conference in Sausalito, California. At the conference, I was able to meet with world-renowned scientists in the field of Breast Cancer Environmental Research and reunite with my mentors from the past summer. The conference was conducted in a very professional manner and offered the latest findings on environmental agents which may induce the risk of breast cancer in humans.

Upon acceptance into the BCERC conference I felt an exhilarating sense of accomplishment. I was beyond astonished that the work that I had conducted on Mammary Gland Carcinogens and Endocrine Disrupters was worthy of such high applaud. But then, my ego deflated abruptly as I realized what was ahead. Presenting to a group of highly venerated researchers and activists was something I had anticipated and hoped for, but now that it was no longer a dream, but a reality, I became hesitant.

The sixth annual BCERC conference was held in Sausalito, California- a city of breathtaking beauty. The conference exposed me to ongoing biological and epidemiological studies investigating the influence of environmental factors on pubertal maturation and mammary gland development. Abnormalities in development may cause a hormonal imbalance in cells, potentially heightening the risk of breast cancer. At times, the terminology of the research was difficult to comprehend. However, the presentations nevertheless brought up some truly interesting studies, such as the impact of soy products on the incidence of breast cancer. The conference integrated the advocate community with the scientist community, allowing members of the audience to express their concerns and ask questions after the presentations.