After British researchers found traces of chemicals called
parabens in breast cancer patient tissues, scientists are now calling for a review on the use of these potentially dangerous compounds.
What’s even more disturbing? Well, these parabens are found in something that you likely use
every single day.
Dr. Philippa Darbre and her colleagues at the University of Reading conducted tests on 20 different human breast tumors. The results suggested that the chemicals had seeped into tissue after skin application. “This is the first study to show their accumulation in human tissues,” said Dr. Darbre. “It demonstrates that if people are exposed to these chemicals (parabens), then the chemicals will accumulate in their bodies.”
Studies on parabens.Why is this of concern? Parabens have shown the ability to mimic the action of estrogen. It is known that estrogen can drive the growth of human breast tumors. It only seems prudent to question the use of parabens in such a wide range of cosmetics applied to the breast area . . . including deodorants and anti-perspirants.
Health experts have been warning people about the potential dangers of parabens for years and how the increase in breast cancer could be attributed to certain chemicals. These chemicals are found in underarm deodorant as well as other skin care products containing a multitude of dangerous chemicals. Parabens are simply one in a large group of toxic chemicals that could have unknown long-term effects when used daily on the skin.
A study in 2004 supports the belief that parabens build up in breast tissue. The chemicals were found in 18 of 20 samples of tissue from human breast tumors. While the study did not prove that parabens cause breast tumors, it is important to remember that chemicals that mimic estrogen pose a risk. Even the estrogen women normally produce through ovaries, fat cells or hormone replacement should be under consideration. Hormones used to fatten cattle can also contribute to estrogen overload - even more so than parabens.
The cosmetic industry chimes in.Of course the cosmetic industry has a different take on this. They claim that parabens have an excellent safety profile and there is an enormous amount of research that gives credence to the safety of using these chemicals in cosmetics and other products.
The European Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association stated that since parabens are hydrolyzed in the skin, and that there is no data to show that they enter the bloodstream, they have no plans to follow up on assessing the use of these chemicals in cosmetics.
The real question is what effects may come from long-term low exposure. It’s interesting to note that some medical experts and toxicologists engaged in the science and policy of parabens have decided their female family members should stay clear of paraben containing products. While the final verdict on parabens may not be in, that decision alone is very telling.
