Cosmetics and Breast Cancer: Is Beauty Only Skin Deep?
by Gloria Philips Expert BloggerThere'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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Created on Aug 25th 2018 07:05. Viewed 293 times.