Hazardous Waste Sites Not Causing Breast Cancer in Wayland: Study

WAYLAND, MA - A study issued in 2011 found a high rate of breast cancer in Wayland and officials were worried the numbers were linked to areas such as the former Dow Chemical site, former Watertown dairy site and the old dump at Wayland Middle School.

A new analysis found there's probably nothing to worry about.

The former report released by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health found a "higher than expected" rate of cancer in Wayland women between the years of 2004 and 2008.

During this time there were 84 cases of breast cancer in Wayland women and between 2007 and 2011 there were 77 cases.

The Wayland Board of Health asked for an investigation into the matter.

The MDPH analysis found no link between breast cancer cases and how close women lived to the waste sites.

The study also noted most women suffering from breast cancer who lived near the sites had only been living there for a few years.

The study found Wayland women generally get screened for breast cancer earlier than the state norm and are having children later, which could help explain the numbers.

Lifestyle factors could also be to blame for the high breast cancer rates found in the 2011 study.

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