Relation Between Beauty Products And Breast Cancer: It's Time To Wake Up

 

Genetic mutations, aging, reproductive history, dense breasts or radiation therapy; there could be many reasons for getting breast cancer, but you would never have imagined products that enhance your beauty can also cause cancer in your breast.

A new study has revealed the links between breast cancer and a common chemical (Parabens) found in shampoos, soaps and other beauty products.

At the same time, The City of Hope National Medical Centre said- "that ingredients found in Black hair products are linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. The study said that endocrine-disrupting chemicals called parabens have a large effect on breast cancer in black women.

Parabens are commonly used as preservatives in hair and other personal care products. However, they can also cause breast cancer cells to grow.

Toxic chemicals of beauty products can increase the chances of breast cancer in both men and women, but women are at high risks.

Previous studies have linked high parabens with the disease, but new research suggests much smaller amounts could also be dangerous. This chemical preservative is also found in many lotions and body creams, including sun cream.

Parabens encourage the production of oestrogen, which mimics the naturally occurring hormone oestradiol. Both oestradiol and oestrogens have been linked to breast cancer (as it can stimulate breast cell growth ) and reproductive problems, the Mirror reports.

Toxic cosmetics contain ingredients or chemicals that might have a negative effect on your health. This can mean anything from a surface level rash to lifelong health issues and conditions like breast cancer.

Almost all make-up and skincare products contain a cocktail of chemicals that cause breast cancer and even could leave women infertile.

The chemicals included in these include parabens and BPA, which are considered 'gender benders' due to them encouraging male breast growth.

Now researchers are starting to raise the alarm that beauty products could be a significant factor driving up rates of cancer — particularly breast cancer.

According to a WHO report- 'Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women, impacting 2.1 million women each year and also causes the greatest number of cancer-related deaths among women. It is the second most common type of cancer in women. In 2018, it is estimated that 627,000 women died from breast cancer – that is approximately 15% of all cancer deaths among women.'

Chemical groups that cause breast cancer,

Research on chemicals in personal-care products and breast cancer is still lacking, the American Cancer Society said. But recent studies have identified two groups of chemicals in beauty products that might be linked to cancer: parabens and phthalates.

Parabens (the most common are methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, and butylparaben) are chemicals commonly used as preservatives in many cosmetic products, including makeup, moisturizers, hair care products, and shaving creams/gels (most major brands of antiperspirants and deodorants don't contain parabens). Parabens can penetrate the skin and act like a very weak estrogen in the body — potentially turning on the growth of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers. Parabens have been found in breast tissue and breast cancers, but this really doesn't mean much. Parabens have been found in many other tissues because of their wide use.

Phthalates are commonly used to hold color and reduce brittleness in nail polish and hair spray. They're also a component of many personal care and cleaning product fragrances. Phthalates are a hormone disruptor. Phthalates don't act exactly like estrogen, but they can disrupt the balance of other hormones that interact with estrogen, including testosterone.

Lead investigator Dale Leitman, a gynaecologist and molecular biologist, said: “Although parabens are known to mimic the growth effects of oestrogens on breast cancer cells, some consider their effect too weak to cause harm, but regular use of these chemical products could  affect estrogen and other hormone acts in females body by blocking them or mimicking them. This disruptive estrogen can make hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer develop and grow.

Furthermore, studies have already proven that parabens, which are used as preservatives in cosmetics and skincare mimic oestrogen and may cause cancer. Bisphenol A (BPA) which is added to perfumes that make scents last longer and has been linked to infertility.

Catherine Priestley, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Breast Cancer Care, said: “This is incredibly early research. Extensive further study is needed to establish a full understanding of the link between parabens and breast cancer risk.