EARLY PUBERTY

Girls get their first periods today, on average, a few months earlier than girls did 40 years ago, but they get their breasts one to two years earlier. Over the course of a few decades, the childhoods of U.S. girls have been significantly shortened. Early Puberty is a known risk factor for breast cancer and other mental and physical health problems.

Like breast cancer, early puberty is caused by a combination of factors. The interactions among these factors can be quite complex. We know that endocrine disrupting chemicals (chemicals that disrupt hormones) like phthalates and Bisphenol A are a possible cause of early puberty, but we also know that exposure to these chemicals in utero or early in life can also lead to low birth weight and obesity, which are themselves possible causes of early puberty. While there are some areas of research that need more attention there is enough evidence for us to take action now to prevent early puberty. Find out what you can do personally and politically at www.breastcancerfund.org/pubertyreport.