The use of beauty products can increase your risk of developing cancer. It all comes down to the products you use.
Concerns have been raised about products containing EDCs (endocrine-disrupting chemicals). These chemicals could disrupt your hormone system," Lorenzo Cohen (PhD), MD Anderson Professor, Director of the Integrative Medicine Program.
Cohen states that while there is no direct link between EDCs and certain cancers, hormones can be responsible for some of them. These cancers include breast, prostate, ovarian and endometrial.
Other products used for personal and beauty care may contain lower levels of cancer-causing chemicals. However, Cohen says that even a tiny amount of chemicals should be considered concerning, mainly if used daily.
These are the facts.
Hair dyes: Cancer risk is not clear
Nearly 5,000 chemicals are used in hair dyes, and some may cause cancer.
Researchers have studied the possible connection between hair dyes and cancer for decades.
In the late 70s and early 1980s, scientists discovered chemicals in hair dyes that could cause cancer in animals. Although some of these chemicals have been removed by hair dye producers, scientists aren't sure if any other chemicals could cause cancer.
According to the National Cancer Institute, research regarding hair dye is contradictory.
It is not known if this is the case. To determine if your hair colour is cancer-causing, check the 13th Annual Report of Carcinogens by the National Toxicology Program.
Some hair-straightening products pose a high cancer risk
Some hair-straightening and smoothing products like the Brazilian Blowout contain formaldehyde, which is a well-known carcinogen.
If you work in a salon, you could be at risk. Formaldehyde is a common chemical found in many places. Salon workers are at higher risk when the product is being used.
If you use formaldehyde-based products for hair straightening, your cancer risk is lower. Cohen says it is better to be cautious than sorry and to reduce your exposure to known carcinogens.
Bath and body care products: known hormone disruptors
Are you able to identify the ingredients of your bath products and body? If you don't, you could get hurt.
The EWG found 1,4dioxane in 28% of personal-care products. The Organic Consumers Association found that the same chemical was in more than 40% of all-natural products. This includes shampoos, soaps, lotions, body-firming, antiaging, and moisturizers. It is not listed on product labels that 1,4-dioxane exists. You may find it in these chemicals:
Although most baby care product manufacturers have removed known cancer-causing chemicals from their products, there are still risks for adults. Although it is possible to connect personal care products and cancer, this has not been proven.
There are many other potential carcinogens that you should be aware of. Cohen states that many personal care products contain EDCs like parabens or phthalates.
This can lead to changes in your immune system and hormonal levels.
Hormone disruptors can cause abnormal growth in men and women, delays in neurodevelopment, and an increased risk of breast cancer.
Perfumes are used in personal care products to mask the toxic chemical stench. However, these products often contain EDCs, allergens and neurotoxins.
The use of beauty products can increase your risk of developing cancer. It all comes down to the products you use.
Concerns have been raised about products containing EDCs (endocrine-disrupting chemicals). These chemicals could disrupt your hormone system," Lorenzo Cohen (PhD), MD Anderson Professor, Director of the Integrative Medicine Program.
Cohen states that while there is no direct link between EDCs and certain cancers, hormones can be responsible for some of them. These cancers include breast, prostate, ovarian and endometrial.
Other products used for personal and beauty care may contain lower levels of cancer-causing chemicals. Cohen says that even a small amount of chemicals should be considered concerning, especially if they are used daily.
Book your beauty appointments. Cohen says there are no known links between beauty treatments and cancer.
These are the facts.
Hair dyes: Cancer risk is not clear
Hair dyes contain nearly 5,000 chemicals, some of which may cause cancer.
In the late 70s and early 1980s, scientists discovered chemicals in hair dyes that could cause cancer in animals. Although some of these chemicals have been removed by hair dye producers, scientists aren't sure if there are any other chemicals that could cause cancer.
According to the National Cancer Institute, research regarding hair dye is contradictory.
It is not known if this is the case. To find out if your hair colour is cancer-causing, check the 13th Annual Report of Carcinogens by National Toxicology Program.
Some hair-straightening products pose a high cancer risk
Some hair-straightening and smoothing products like the Brazilian Blowout contain formaldehyde, which is a well-known carcinogen.
If you work in a salon, you could be at risk. Formaldehyde is a common chemical found in many places. Salon workers are at higher risk when the product is being used.
If you use formaldehyde-based products for hair straightening, your cancer risk is lower. Cohen says it is better to be cautious than sorry and to reduce your exposure to known carcinogens.
Bath and body care products: known hormone disruptors
Are you able to identify the ingredients of your bath products and body? If you don't, you could get hurt.
The EWG found 1,4dioxane in 28% of personal-care products. The Organic Consumers Association found that the same chemical was in more than 40% of all-natural products. This includes shampoos, soaps, lotions, body-firming, antiaging, and moisturizers. It is not listed on product labels that 1,4-dioxane exists. You may find it in these chemicals:
Although most baby care product manufacturers have removed known cancer-causing chemicals from their products, there are still risks for adults. Although it is possible to connect personal care products and cancer, this has not been proven.
There are many other potential carcinogens that you should be aware of. Cohen mentions that many personal care products contain EDCs like parabens or phthalates. This can lead to changes in your immune system and hormonal levels.
Hormone disruptors can cause abnormal growth in men and women, delays in neurodevelopment, and an increased risk of breast cancer.
Personal care products often contain fragrances to mask the odours from toxic chemicals. These products often contain EDCs, allergens and neurotoxins.
Recent research has shown that common chemicals such as pesticides and ingredients in consumer products and food additives can increase breast cancer risk. They increase the production of estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones in breast tissue.
These findings were published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.
Every day, people are exposed to synthetic chemicals in foods and other products. Many of these chemicals are unknown to have harmful effects on the health of people.
The Women's Health Initiative study in 2002 found that hormone replacement therapy (combined hormone replacement therapy) was associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. The incidence rates fell after women stopped taking the drug.
Cardona and Rudel reported in Environmental Health Perspectives that 296 chemicals had been identified as increasing estrogen in cells grown in the lab.
Seventy-one chemicals increased hormone levels. These chemicals included chemical fire retardants in furniture, personal care products and building materials, as well as pesticides.
Researchers aren't sure why these chemicals cause the cells to produce more hormones. Cardona suggested that these chemicals might act as aromatase activators, which could cause higher levels of estrogen.
Silent Spring hopes that this study will be a wake-up call for regulators about how they assess chemicals for safety.
Safety tests currently performed on animals don't look at the hormone levels of animals after chemical exposure. High throughput cell testing can be used to detect chemicals which activate estrogen receptors and mimic estrogen. It has not been used to detect chemicals that increase progesterone and estrogen production.
"This study demonstrates that many chemicals can manipulate hormones known to adversely affect breast cancer risk," Dr Sue Fenton (Associate Editor of the study) said. She is an expert in mammary tissue formation at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
"It is especially concerning how many chemicals alter progesterone. This could be a problem in hormone therapy. Dr Fenton stated that it is important to avoid chemicals that increase progesterone.
Researchers offered a variety of suggestions to improve breast cancer detection through chemical safety testing. Researchers also recommended ways to decrease exposures during critical developmental periods like puberty or pregnancy, when breasts undergo significant changes.
This project is part of Silent Spring Institute's Safer Chemicals Program. It develops cost-effective ways to screen chemicals for their effects on breast health. This information will help companies and government agencies create safer products, as well as assist in better regulation of chemicals.
Sources:
https://sukino.com/blogs/everyday-items-that-can-contribute-to-breast-cancer/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24694726/