Tag: prevention

Hive’s Safer Swaps

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What are environmental chemicals?

Simply put, these are chemicals that we’re exposed to via our environment, which includes the foods we eat, the water and beverages we drink, the products we buy and use every day, the homes we live in, the buildings we work and go to school in, and in fact, the very air we breathe. 

Over 350,000 chemicals and chemical mixtures are estimated to be registered globally – that’s a lot! 

Why we should be concerned. 


While not all of those 350,000 chemicals are harmful ( many have made our lives safer and longer), there is a growing list of chemicals that are known or suspected of causing or contributing to serious chronic and acute health issues in people. 

Chemical exposures are linked to everything from hormone disruption, metabolic syndromes, neurological disorders, fertility issues, fetal developmental issues, behavioral issues in children, autoimmune issues, cancers, and more.

And, we are all exposed! For some chemicals, like PFAS, it’s estimated that 99% of people have them in their blood. 

The usual thinking when it comes to chemicals is that in order for them to be harmful, we need to be exposed to a large amount. But for some types of chemicals, specifically, endocrine-disrupting ones, very low levels of exposure matter, and are linked to serious health issues. 

What can we do?

The first thing to do is not panic! While learning about and addressing environmental exposures can feel overwhelming (especially if you’re learning about it on your own), it doesn’t have to be! 

Our goal is to start the process of reducing our exposure to as many harmful chemicals in our daily lives as we can. This typically entails making many small, but meaningful changes in your day-to-day choices and activities – things like minimizing the use of plastic in the kitchen, ditching the home fragrances, swapping to cleaner cleaners, and dusting more frequently, to name just a few. 

References: PMID: 31968937 PMID: 37662771 PMID: 31679856

https://chemsec.org/wrappedinchemicals/facts/pfas-fact-5/

https://chemsec.org/wrappedinchemicals/facts/politics-and-regulations-fact-3/

Irish Language RYR

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In March we launched an Irish language version of its popular children’s work shop.

Hive Cancer Support’s ‘Reduce Your Risk’ session teaches children about the health impact of our environment and ways to reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals.

It was first devised three years ago by Jacquie Loughry, Education & Prevention Officer at Hive Cancer Support, after the success of the ‘Reduce Your Risk’  work shop for adults.

Translating the work shop into Irish will help us fulfil our mission to provide cancer prevention information to all.

“This is another step forward for us in bringing our cancer prevention message to everyone,” said Jacquie. “Cancer doesn’t discriminate- it knows no borders or any one language and we can’t pick and choose what prevention risks to talk about.

“We have always prided ourselves in giving information on cancer prevention in all its forms.”

She continued: “We wanted to present the information at an age appropriate level, with information that was pertinent to children and young people age 10+ of all abilities.”

The children’s version of ‘Reduce Your Risk’ is aimed at pupils in P7 and above and was developed in consultation with teachers and students.

It shows the environmental and the health impacts of what we eat and drink and the products we use on our bodies.

The Reduce Your Risk sessions in Irish, which was translated by Ulster University student Sinead Magowan has been successfully piloted with pupils at Bunscoil Colmcille and are now available for booking.

Hive Cancer Support also deliver the adult version of ‘Reduce Your Risk’, female cancer awareness sessions and male cancer awareness sessions.

If you would like to book any of the Hive Cancer Support Awareness courses please contact Marianne Flood, Community Education and Marketing Assistant on mariannepinkladies@gmail.com

Breast Cancer UK ‘Breast Cancer Prevention Conference 2023’

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We were in London recently for the Breast Cancer UK ‘Breast Cancer Prevention Conference’.

Day One focussed on the impact of environmental chemicals – something we educate about and lobby on.

And Day Two looked at how lifestyle choices, good diet and nutrition, alcohol reduction and exercise can reduce the risk of a Breast Cancer diagnosis.

It was great to network with other charities working in the same field and hear talks from world-renowned experts.

During our trip we also visited the Women’s Environmental Network’s offices to learn about its work helping women and communities take action for the environment.