Silent Spring Institute

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Silent Spring Institute

The only scientific research organization specifically dedicated to uncovering the environmental causes of breast cancer

The Institute’s research agenda is defined by these priorities:

* Focus on the environment, an under-studied area that can lead to the discovery of preventable causes of cancer, particularly in communities with higher risk;

* Make women’s health, especially breast cancer, a central rather than peripheral research priority;

* Support innovation, including new research methods and pilot studies to test new hypotheses;

* Foster multidisciplinary teams of researchers to integrate their strengths;

* Foster true collaboration among scientists, physicians, and community members. Silent Spring Institute began in 1994, after members of the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition called for a scientifically sound investigation into elevated breast cancer rates on Cape Cod. They founded “a laboratory of their own” and named it Silent Spring Institute in tribute to Rachel Carson, whose landmark book, Silent Spring, launched the modern environmental movement. Carson died of breast cancer just two years after the book was published. Be part of the movement http://silentspring.org/.

11/06/2025

A huge thank you to Mamaleh's Delicatessen for their generous support of our Gala Celebration! They donated a delicious catered brunch for our Live Auction, raising vital funds for life-saving research.

We’re so grateful to our local partners who bring community, care, and incredible food to the table!

11/03/2025

Thank you S*x Discussed Here (I Love Female Orgasm®) for supporting Silent Spring Institute’s mission to uncover the links between the environment and women’s health. They are donating 25% of their t-shirt sales proceeds to Silent Spring to fund our research on cancer-causing chemicals and breast cancer prevention. Together, we’re advancing science and shaping a healthier tomorrow.

Order your t-shirt today by visiting: sexualityeducation.com

10/30/2025

This year’s Silent Spring Gala was a powerful celebration of the people and ideas driving change at the intersection of science, advocacy, and community.

We honored Peggy Shepard, Co-Founder and Executive Director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice, with the Rachel Carson Advocacy Award for her lifelong leadership in advancing environmental justice and health equity.

The inaugural Susan S. Bailis Champion Award was presented to the Bailis Family—Larry Bailis, Kathryn Bailis Phillips, and David Bailis—in honor of their mother who was an early champion of Silent Spring’s mission and in recognition of their commitment to carrying forward Susan’s vision.

We also celebrated Eniola Shokunbi, recipient of the 2025 Rachel Carson Young Environmentalist Award for her leadership in advocating for better indoor air quality in schools and inspiring young girls in STEM.

Finally, Dr. Mary Beth Terry, Executive Director of Silent Spring Institute, highlighted the broader impact of reducing exposure to toxic chemicals—not only for breast cancer prevention but for protecting families, communities, and future generations.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating science, advocacy, and hope.

See photos, videos, and highlights from the evening at silentspring.org/gala

10/29/2025

Atrazine is the second most widely-used herbicide in the U.S. Studies show it causes mammary tumors in animals, affects how the mammary gland develops, interferes with hormones in ways that could increase breast cancer risk, and is widespread in drinking water.

That's a lot to dismiss.

Learn more about atrazine and other pesticides of concern: https://silentspring.org/news/dozens-pesticides-linked-mammary-gland-tumors-animal-studies

https://civileats.com/2025/10/28/trump-administration-dismisses-risks-of-atrazine-a-farm-herbicide/

Experts say the chemical’s continued use will likely harm hundreds of endangered species, rendering some extinct.

10/27/2025

Excellent piece in the Washington Post about rising cancer rates in young people, their health struggles after treatment, and the big question: Why?

“What’s driving these rates is what is on everyone’s mind. The complicated thing is that it’s not risk factors now. It’s our risk factors from 10, 20, 30 years ago that are causing the cancers now.”

Read Silent Spring's latest post about early-onset breast cancer and how exposure to chemicals in our everyday environment--especially early in life--might be contributing to these alarming trends. https://silentspring.org/news/breast-cancer-young-women-what-know

Communities across the Corn Belt are confronting a rise in cancers among young adults — and few clear explanations.

10/24/2025

Did you know certain chemicals can turn on hormones, damage DNA, or fuel inflammation . . . all of which can increase the risk of breast cancer?

In today’s webinar, Dr. Jenny Kay from Silent Spring Institute explained how these mechanisms work—and the good news: small, everyday changes can lower your body’s chemical burden, often within days.

Thank you to everyone who joined us live!
If you missed it, the replay is available here: https://bit.ly/3L22Sg4 ⭐

10/23/2025

Our latest study on how common jobs held by immigrant women may put them at increased risk of breast cancer.

The findings shed light on overlooked risks for female workers and why some groups of immigrants experience higher rates of breast cancer after moving to the United States.

“Immigrant women are overrepresented in many of the jobs we identified as high-risk. This means they are not only more likely to be exposed to hazardous substances, but also more likely to experience long-term health consequences tied to their work.”

Led by Silent Spring Research Scientist Dr. Kristin Knox with collaborators at UC Berkeley Public Health and UCSF.

https://silentspring.org/news/common-jobs-held-immigrant-women-may-put-them-increased-risk-breast-cancer

10/18/2025

Breast cancer rates are on the rise in women under 50.

Traditional risk factors don’t fully explain the trend.

🧪 Toxic chemicals in our food, water, air, and household products are emerging as leading culprits, says Silent Spring's Dr. Mary Beth Terry.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re talking about breast cancer in young women and the role of environmental exposures.

Learn more and find out how you can reduce your risk. 💡🌱 Visit: https://silentspring.org/news/breast-cancer-young-women-what-know

And be a part of the solution by supporting valuable research on early onset breast cancer: https://silentspring.org/donate

10/15/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Silent Spring Institute’s 2025 Gala Celebration at the Museum of Science, Boston! Together, we honored visionary leaders who are making the world a better place—Peggy Shepard, Eniola Shokunbi, and the Bailis Family. And we raised vital funds for breast cancer prevention research.

With heartfelt thanks to:

• Our emcee Katie Martell for bringing energy and passion
• Jacqueline Towers-Perkins for leading a powerful auction
• Our generous supporters

We are deeply grateful to all who stand with us in the fight for a healthier, cancer-free future.

Stay tuned for photos and video highlights. Coming soon!

It’s not too late to give: silentspring.org/gala

10/09/2025

Tomorrow’s the big night!
We’re so excited to welcome guests to Silent Spring Institute’s Gala on Thursday, October 9 at the Museum of Science, Boston.
Featuring:
• Executive Director Dr. Mary Beth Terry
• Honorees: Peggy Shepard, Eniola Shokunbi & The Bailis Family
• Host: Katie Martell
• Live Auction with Jacqueline Towers-Perkins

Registration for this event has closed.

Our Silent Auction closes at 9:00 p.m. ET on October 9.
Open to all! Bid on unforgettable experiences, unique gifts, and more. Support our critical research while purchasing gifts for your friends and family to enjoy.

Get your bids in today: https://auctria.events/ssigala
Learn more about the gala: silentspring.org/gala

10/08/2025

Well said.

"A good pan is like a trusted friend: It improves with time, instead of slowly poisoning you. The industry, of course, doesn’t want you to know this. It’s spent many millions of dollars convincing Americans that nonstick is synonymous with modern tech."

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/opinion/nonstick-pans-cooking-chemicals-teflon.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Listen to Silent Spring's Dr. Laurel Schaider explain, at a US Senate hearing, the harmful health effects of PFAS and why we need to turn off the tap on the unnecessary uses of these chemicals in our daily lives and focus on safer alternatives. (start: 00:28:30).

https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2024/12/examining-the-public-health-impacts-of-pfas-exposures

Address

320 Nevada Street, Ste 302
Newton, MA
02460

Telephone

+16173324288

Website

http://www.silentspring.org/

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Because no one should get breast cancer because of toxic chemicals...

The Institute’s research agenda is defined by these priorities: * Focus on the environmental and preventable causes of breast cancer, particularly in communities with higher risk; * Make breast cancer prevention a national research priority; * Support innovation, including new research methods and pilot studies to test new hypotheses; * Foster multidisciplinary teams of researchers to integrate their strengths; * Foster true collaboration among scientists, physicians, and community members. Silent Spring Institute began in 1994, after members of the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition called for a scientifically sound investigation into elevated breast cancer rates on Cape Cod. They founded “a laboratory of their own” and named it Silent Spring Institute in tribute to Rachel Carson, whose landmark book, Silent Spring, launched the modern environmental movement. Carson died of breast cancer just two years after the book was published. Be part of the movement http://silentspring.org/.