The 'M eet the Scientist' lecture series produced by the Taras Oceanographic Foundation and Jupiter Environmental Field Research Academy (JERSA), with the kind support of the Rotary Club of Jupiter and Tequesta, will complete its fourth year on Wed. April 16, 2008 with an important issue facing our community today: Breast Cancer.

Worldwide, breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer, and the fifth most common cause of death. However, among women all around the world, breast cancer is by far the most common type of cancer, both by incidence and death. In 2005, breast cancer caused 502.000 deaths worldwide.

No one know what causes breast cancer, but clearly we are seeing an increase in breast cancer cases. More women develop breast cancer than men -about 100 cases in females for every one in a man. Women's bodies make more estrogen than men's and therefore, the conventional wisdom has been that estrogen causes breast cancer. But is that true?

One of the leading researchers studying the relationship of estrogen and breast cancer works right here in Jupiter! Dr. Kendall Nettles, faculty at Scripts Research Institute, will provide us with information on cutting edge research and answer questions about the relationship between hormones and this deadly disease.

All ' Meet the Scientist' lectures are free and open to the public. Each lecture takes place at the auditorium of Jupiter High School, located at 500 N. Military Trail in Jupiter, from 7 p.m.to 9 p.m. For more information contact Taras Oceanographic Foundation at 561-743-7683 or send an email to lmillar@taras.org. Find out more on the Taras website: www.taras.org.