This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (1) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Brown, P. Articles by Senier, L. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

"A Lab of Our Own"

Environmental Causation of Breast Cancer and Challenges to the Dominant Epidemiological Paradigm

Brown University

Sabrina McCormick

Michigan State University

Brian Mayer

University of Florida

Stephen Zavestoski

University of San Francisco

Rachel Morello-Frosch

Brown University

Rebecca Gasior Altman

Brown University

Laura Senier

Brown University

There are challenges to the dominant research paradigm in breast cancer science. In the United States, science and social activism create paradigmatic shifts. Using interviews, ethnographic observations, and an extensive review of the literature, we create a three-dimensional model to situate changes in scientific controversy concerning environmental causes of breast cancer. We identify three paradigm challenges posed by activists and some scientists: (1) to move debates about causation upstream to address causes; (2) to shift emphasis from individual to modifiable societal-level factors beyond an individual’s control; and (3) to allow direct lay involvement in research, which may raise new questions and change how questions are approached, the methods used, and the standards of proof. We use our model to examine controversies about doing scientific research, interpreting scientific results, and acting on science. Ultimately, we aim to understand what impedes construction of new methodologies and knowledge about environmental factors in human disease.

Key Words: breast cancer • environmental health • environmental causation • public participation • activism

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Callon and V. Rabeharisoa The Growing Engagement of Emergent Concerned Groups in Political and Economic Life: Lessons from the French Association of Neuromuscular Disease Patients Science Technology Human Values, March 1, 2008; 33(2): 230 - 261. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Callon An Essay on the Growing Contribution of Economic Markets to the Proliferation of the Social Theory Culture Society, December 1, 2007; 24(7-8): 139 - 163. [PDF]

				J. G. Brody, R. Morello-Frosch, P. Brown, R. A. Rudel, R. G. Altman, M. Frye, C. A. Osimo, C. Perez, and L. M. Seryak Improving Disclosure and Consent: "Is It Safe?": New Ethics for Reporting Personal Exposures to Environmental Chemicals Am J Public Health, September 1, 2007; 97(9): 1547 - 1554. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]