BOSTON -- Women in the United State face a greater lifetime risk of breast cancer than any previous generation, but only about 5 percent have a genetic link, so most people will never know why they developed this disease.

NewsCenter 5's Kelley Tuthill reported that there are serious questions about whether chemicals we are exposed to everyday play a role.

That's why scientist Ruthann Rudel, of the Newton-based environmental group Silent Spring Institute, took dust and air samples from a home in Stow as part of a potentially groundbreaking study.

"We are collecting indoor air, house dust and urine samples in order to get a full exposure in the home," Rudel said. "And we are trying to understand what the environment is like before we intervene and suggest alternative products, and then we'll measure it again afterward."

The question scientists are trying to answer is whether everyday household products put women at higher risk for breast cancer.

"We know that there are chemicals that mimic estrogen or otherwise affect hormones. Many of these chemicals were identified because they can make human breast cancer cells grow in a lab," said Silent Spring's Julia Brody. "And these are chemicals that we are exposed to every day. They are in common products like laundry detergents and other kinds of cleaners and air fresheners, and they've been used in the past in dry cleaning. They are in cosmetics, they are in air pollution and water pollution."

People like Janet Colantuono, of Stow, are offering their homes as testing grounds. For three months, they will be asked to use different products for laundry, cleaning, and personal care.

"I have made some changes," Colantuono said. "But I know I could do more, so I'm very curious to see what the testing will show."

It is difficult to reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals just by reading a label, because many products don't list ingredients. One part of the Silent Spring Institute's study will focus on simply testing individual products, to see what is in them.

In the meantime, the Silent Spring Institute suggests reducing exposure to potentially dangerous chemicals by avoiding idling cars, black char on grilled foods and by buying at least some organic fruits and vegetables.

Top cancer doctors advise that people keep in mind there are also many myths. For example, there is no proof that birth control pills or antiperspirants cause cancer.

"Right now, there's not a whole lot you can ban," said Dr. Sue Troyan, a breast surgeon at Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. "I don't think we should put out chemicals without proving they are safe first. There is no evidence to show that it links with breast cancer. I tell women to use their deodorant and perfumes."

Many are getting impatient for answers to the environmental questions that surround breast cancer.

Colantuono said, "I would like to know if there are more things that we can all do to reduce the incidence of breast cancer for all of us,"

The Silent Spring Institute expects to get some results from their product testing in a few months. The overall household study is still in its pilot phase. Researchers expect to get some results next year.

There is also a bill before congress that would establish a national plan to study the links between the environment and breast cancer.

The Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act would allocate $40 million to perhaps provide some definitive answers on this topic.