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Cosmetics and Breast Cancer: Is Beauty Only Skin Deep?

by Gloria Philips Expert Blogger

There's no denying it: the harmful chemicals that comprise skin-maintenance systems provide us with females a lift in confidence and look-making us smell nice. But through the years scientific studies have suggested that at certain exposure levels, a few of these ingredients may play a role in cancer development in humans.

 

Because cosmetics contain a number of chemicals, it's unlikely that a person specific chemical is going to be recognized as an absolute reason for cancer. Still, many chemicals in skin-maintenance systems disrupt hormones. These disruptors block or mimic hormones like estrogen, throwing off of the body's hormonal balance. Because estrogen could make hormone-receptor-positive cancer of the breast grow, a lot of women seek toiletries to limit their contact with chemicals that work like estrogen.

 

Even though many ingredients get into cosmetics and private-maintenance systems, two teams of chemicals are now being studied for links to cancer of the breast:

 

- Parabens (for instance, methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, and butylparaben) are chemicals widely used to preserve cosmetics, including makeup, moisturizers, hair-maintenance systems, personal lubricants, and shaving creams (most major brands of antiperspirants and deodorants don't contain parabens). Parabens are absorbed with the skin and exhibit weak estrogen-like properties. Plus some issues that boost the body's contact with estrogen (like lacking children, late menopause, obesity, etc.) have already been associated with a heightened chance of cancer of the breast.

 

- Phthalates (for instance, DEP, DEHP, DINP and DIDP) are chemicals widely used to keep color and lower brittleness in nail polish and hair spray. Fragrances in personal-care and cleaning products also contain them. As hormone disrupters, phthalates usually do not mimic estrogen, however they can disrupt the total amount of other hormones that communicate with estrogen, including testosterone.

 

The Controversy

 

In 2004 U.K. researchers found proof of parabens in cancer of the breast tumor samples. This research added clout for an already popular belief the parabens in underarm deodorants and sunscreen can transfer to breast tissue and fuel the development of malignancies.

 

No direct proof of a causal link between parabens and cancer, however, continues to be shown since that time. A 2005 overview of the information available during those times determined that parabens would not increase the potential risk of any estrogen-mediated endpoint, including effects on cancer of the breast so we are subjected to many phytoestrogens already within our diet which are naturally sourced endocrine-active chemicals.

 

The American Cancer Society agrees there is insufficient scientific evidence to back up an insurance claim which use of cosmetics like antiperspirants increases an individual's chance of developing cancer of the breast. Specifically, they note these concerning the 2004 study:

 

- They looked just for the existence of parabens in cancer of the breast samples. The analysis failed to reveal that parabens caused cancer of the breast development in such cases - it only showed they were there.

 

- Although parabens have weak estrogen-like properties, the estrogens made within the body are hundreds to a lot of thousands-fold stronger. So, natural estrogens (or those taken as hormone replacement) are more likely to be involved in cancer of the breast development.

 

- Parabens are commonly used as preservatives in shampoo, lotions, other cosmetics, as well as foods. This research failed to investigate the origin from the parabens located in the breast tissue - it's not clear when they originated from antiperspirants as well as other source.

 

An evaluation in 2008 mined various studies for solutions to these questions:

 

- Exist experimental or biological arguments supporting a possible link between the usage of deodorants/antiperspirants and cancer of the breast?

 

- Does the usage of deodorants/antiperspirants have impact on the rise in the potential risk of cancer of the breast?

 

- Could a causal relationship between the usage of deodorants/antiperspirants and cancer of the breast be accepted?

 

Their findings? "No scientific evidence to back up the hypothesis was identified with no validated hypothesis appears very likely to open the best way to interesting avenues of research."

 

Many women's and environmental health advocacy groups disagree. As do many cancer of the breast survivors who blog about or else address the topic. They take problem with conclusions that cosmetics harboring parabens and phthalates pose little if any hazard towards the public. They remember that while current studies usually do not causally link parabens with tumors, neither do these studies demonstrate that parabens are secure.

 

Women's Voices for your Earth, a women's environmental justice group from Montana, launched a campaign seeking removing toxic chemicals from beauty and skin products. Consequently, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics emerged being a coalition to pressure the cosmetics industry to phase out the usage of chemicals known or suspected to become carcinogens. Specifically, this coalition has evolved a voluntary agreement known as the Compact for Safe Cosmetics. Businesses that sign the compact consent to make all of their products "free from chemicals which are known or strongly suspected of causing cancer, mutation, or birth defects." In case a product is made of a chemical on the suspect list, the business will experience a strategy to change that chemical having a safer alternative within 3 years and publicly report its progress. The slogan of the campaign, "Because We're Worthwhile!" was designed to prick the conscience of those that disregard women's health issues in the interest of profit.

 

Countering this movement, unsurprisingly, is definitely the mainstream cosmetic industry. They debate that parabens, like the majority of cosmetic ingredients, are secure according to their long term use and safety record and recent scientific research.

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About Gloria Philips Senior   Expert Blogger

285 connections, 9 recommendations, 912 honor points.
Joined APSense since, October 12th, 2013, From Newry, United Kingdom.

Created on Aug 25th 2018 07:05. Viewed 293 times.

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