Skin Care Products

What is the Connection between Skin Care products and Breast Cancer?

Authors-Dr. Monica Scheel and Dr. Michael Traub
Published in "Holistic Primary Care" Spring 2006

Breast cancer rates have been climbing steadily since the 1940s. In the United States, a woman's lifetime risk of breast cancer has nearly tripled in the last 40 years. In 2005, approximately 200,000 American women were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and about 60,000 more with of the breast in situ. In 2005, breast cancer was expected to be the cause of death of 40,000 American women. The annual rate of new cases continues to climb despite billions of dollars spent on breast cancer research.

Less than one case of breast cancer out of every ten occurs as a result of genetic predisposition. Nearly half of all women diagnosed with breast cancer have no known risk factors for the disease. Recent research has made it clear that breast cancer arises from a complex mix of multiple factors, which include inheritance and/or exposures to external agents that affect genetic expression or the production of estrogen or other hormones.

An estimated 100,000 synthetic chemicals are believed to be in use today in the U.S. More than 90% of these have never been tested for their effects on human health. Many of these chemicals persist in the environment, accumulate in fat cells and remain in the breast tissue for decades. Studies from the CDC show that Americans of all ages carry a body burden of at least 148 chemicals that have been measured, some of those banned for more than 20 years of toxicity. A recent "State of the Evidence" report on breast cancer summarizes the findings of more than 350 studies and demonstrates that a significant body of scientific evidence links exposure to radiation and synthetic chemicals to increased risks of breast cancer (Evans N ed., State of the Evidence-What is the Connection Between the Environment and Breast Cancer? Breast Cancer Fund, San Francisco, CA 2006).

Two classes of synthetic chemicals known as phthalates and parabens are widely found in skin care products and potentially alter hormonal function. Parabens are used as preservatives to help makeup stay fresher longer and to enhance skin absorption. Recently studies have found intact measurable parabens in human breast tumors (Dabre PD, et al. Concentrations of parabens in human breast tumors. J Appl Toxicol 2004. 245-13). Phthalates are plasticizers and in cosmetics are used to add texture and luster. They make our skin look smoother when using lotions, make hair spray and nail polish flexible and disperse fragrance. The FDA doesn't regulate the use of these chemicals in cosmetic and beauty aids, nor does it require manufacturers to disclose them as ingredients. The so-called "trade secrets loophole" allows manufacturers to conceal them under generic terms such as "fragrance." There have been many studies that have shown that these chemicals can alter hormone function. Phthalates were shown to significantly increase cell proliferation in human breast cancer cells and also inhibit tamoxifen-induced apoptosis (Kim, IY, et al. Phthalates inhibit tamoxifen-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2004 Dec; 67 (23-24): 2025-35).

What is being done? The European Union (EU) has taken an international lead in protecting the public. Since October 2004, cosmetics manufactured and cold in the EU are prohibited from containing any chemical known to be a carcinogen, mutagen or reproductive toxicant. In the U.S. the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics asked hundreds of cosmetic companies to sign their Compact for the Global Production of Safe Health and Beauty Products, which includes a pledge that their products will meet EU standard within three years. Although several major companies, including Avon, Estee' Lauder, L'Oreal, Revlon and Proctor & Gamble refused to sign as of September 2005, 175 companies have signed on. These include The Body Shop, Burt's Bee's, Kiss My Face and Avalon Natural products. The Environmental Working Group based in Washington D.C. has developed a searchable database on their Web site that allows consumers to search the results of 10,000 beauty products and their rank in harmful ingredients.

All the articles read in preparation for this column except one called for further research into the evidence that these body care ingredients may be linked to breast cancer, since the exposure issue is clear and the exposed population and public health implications are large.

The one dissenting article concluded that after "a thorough review of the scientific literature on parabens," an increased risk of breast cancer was "biologically implausible." The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CTFA) compensated two of the three authors of this review, and the third served as a consultant to CTFA.

While there are no studies directly linking parabens or phthalates to the development of breast cancer, it makes sense to take a precautionary approach. We do have choices when it comes to beauty aids. It makes sense to search for products that are pure, safe, natural and organic.