I had an opportunity to talk to some women from
Breast Cancer Action during an online press conference on Tuesday. From now through September 24th, they are working with other organizations on the
MILKING CANCER campaign.
Eli Lilly is the sole manufacturer of
rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone), an artificial hormone given to dairy cows. Cows treated with this hormone pass along
Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) which has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Also, the hormone causes an infection called
mastitis, leading to the cow being treated with antibiotics.
To complete the cancer loop, Eli Lilly also sells a drug that helps prevent cancer in women with high risk and a drug used to treat cancer. According to BCA, it's an all around money-maker:
Eli Lilly’s cancer drugs made $2,683,000,000 for the company in 2008. Its potentially carcinogenic dairy hormone made $985,000,000 in the same year.
rBGH has been banned in the EU, Canada, Japan and Australia. BCA started this campaign last year, educating thousands and organizing a postcard campaign.
Eli Lilly did not respond, interpreted by many as a slap in the face. As
Executive Director Barbara Brenner said during the press conference, "Silence has killed people for too long."
This year, they are launching an online petition drive. Their goal is to gather 6,220 signatures, a number that equals the days rBGH has been on the market. BCA has successfully lobbied Yoplait to remove the hormone from their products and soon Dannon followed suit. Since my diagnosis in 2008, I have become particularly aware of food additives, both for my own health and for how they affect my children.
These types of actions can be effective, but only if we participate.
Please visit the BCA's action website,
THINK BEFORE YOU PINK to sign the petition. Also, if you can mention it on your blog, facebook or twitter (#milkingcancer), you can make a difference.