If you’re trying to lower your risk of breast cancer, you might focus on eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise. Smart move! Lifestyle plays an important role in lowering your risk of a number of health problems, including some types of cancer.
Have you ever thought about the products you use daily, like cosmetics and cleaning products, and their impact on breast tissue? Scientists are increasingly concerned that the chemicals in products people use daily could increase the risk of breast cancer. It’s something that doesn’t get enough attention or research dollars.
In a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives, researchers looked at more than 2,000 chemicals and how they affect breast cells. They discovered that almost 15% of the chemicals they tested increased estradiol, a form of estrogen that stimulates breast cells to rapidly divide. These chemicals also boosted progesterone, another female sex hormone. Scientists know that higher levels of estradiol stimulate the growth of breast tumors.
When estradiol stimulates breast cells, they begin to divide faster, increasing the risk of mutations that can trigger breast malignancies. Scientists now know that many chemicals in products people use daily affect the activity of hormones. These compounds are called phthalates. These chemicals earned this name because they affect the body’s endocrine system, the system that produces hormones that affect reproductive and metabolic health. Phthalates are quite common in the products people use every day.
Phthalates, Pesticides, and More
The number of pollutants in the environment is increasing, including pesticides, and these environmental toxins are of concern. Yet chemicals in everyday products are also a threat to health and breast cancer risk and they get less focus. These chemicals are in cosmetic products, like cosmetics, pesticides on foods, and chemicals used for home cleaning. Some products that contain phthalates include hair coloring products, hair sprays, toothpaste, cosmetics, nail polish, and cleaning products. Almost any product with fragrance added contains phthalates unless it states otherwise on the label.
Another type of chemical in everyday products is parabens. You can recognize them on an ingredient list because they have names like “paraben,” like methylparaben, and butylparaben. Products that are more likely to contain parabens are moisturizers, cosmetics, shaving gels, and hair care products. Parabens have similar activity to estrogen in the human body, although the effects are weaker than natural estrogens your body produces.
Occasional exposure to these chemicals might not be a problem, but people use these items so frequently that some may pose a risk. Scientists have found parabens in breast tissue, and you can absorb them through your skin. It’s not clear yet what the implications of parabens in breast tissue are. Are they harmful or are they simply there?
Pesticides May Affect Breast Tissue Too
Then, there are the pesticides on fruits and vegetables. While the role of pesticides in causing breast tumors in humans is unclear, animal research shows potential risks. These studies reveal that some pesticides act like estrogen in the human body by stimulating breast tissue and causing mutations to the genetic material inside breast cells. So, when you eat a healthy fruit or vegetable heavily sprayed with pesticides, you could be consuming pesticide residues too.
On the plus side, fruits and vegetables are rich in compounds that have protective effects against cell damage. It’s unclear whether the possible anti-cancer activity of natural phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables offsets the negative effects of pesticides. Many experts believe they do. As some point out, the benefit of eating conventional fruits and vegetables outweigh the risks of taking in small quantities of pesticides.
One way to lower your risk is to buy organic fruits and vegetables. But even organic produce may contain natural pesticides that aren’t healthy. Still, you can reduce your pesticide exposure by choosing organic and washing each piece of produce well before eating it.
The outer skin of a fruit or vegetable contains the most fiber but it’s also where most of the pesticides are. However, pesticides can also penetrate the flesh of a fruit or vegetable. Penetration of the outer skin is more problematic with softer-skinned fruits and vegetables.
Other Chemicals that May Increase Breast Cancer Risk
Every time you step outside, you’re exposed to toxins in the air. Air pollution accounts for one in eight deaths worldwide, partially from lung and heart disease. But there’s also evidence that air pollution may increase breast cancer risk. You can’t control what you breathe in when you step outside, but you can clean up the interior or your home by installing an air purifier. Plus, indoor pollution is more of a threat because people spend more time indoors. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, people spend 90% of their time indoors.
If you can’t invest in an air purifier, ensure your home has adequate ventilation. Studies even link fumes from cooking with health risks, not to mention the products people use indoors and off gassing from carpeting and furniture. There isn’t a breeze indoors, as there is outdoors, to remove the pollution either.
The Bottom Line
Keep in mind that the connection between chemicals in the environment and breast cancer risk need more research. But it’s important to do what you can to reduce your exposure to questionable chemicals. Watch what you eat and stay physically active to lower your risk of breast cancer, but also consider the potentially harmful effects of the products you use daily. Try to find healthier substitutes made from natural ingredients or make your own. It’s worth it.
References:
- “Hundreds of chemicals found in common household items may ….” 21 Jul. 2021, .studyfinds.org/chemicals-household-items-cancer/.
- “Exposure to Chemicals in Cosmetics.” 11 Sept. 2020, .breastcancer.org/risk/factors/cosmetics.
- “Everyday Products May Increase Breast Cancer Risk – First ….” 25 Aug. 2021, .firstforwomen.com/posts/health/everyday-products-breast-cancer-risk.
- “Organochlorine, Pesticides and Breast Cancer.” 28 Dec. 2020, .komen.org/breast-cancer/facts-statistics/research-studies/topics/blood-organochlorine-levels-and-breast-cancer-risk/.
- org. “Exposure to Chemicals in Cosmetics”
- White AJ, Bradshaw PT, Hamra GB. Air pollution and Breast Cancer: A Review. Curr Epidemiol Rep. 2018 Jun;5(2):92-100. doi: 10.1007/s40471-018-0143-2. Epub 2018 Mar 27. PMID: 30271702; PMCID: PMC6159940.
- Snedeker SM. Pesticides and breast cancer risk: a review of DDT, DDE, and dieldrin. Environ Health Perspect. 2001 Mar;109 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):35-47. doi: 10.1289/ehp.01109s135. PMID: 11250804; PMCID: PMC1240541.
- “Air Pollution Accounts for 1 in 8 Deaths Worldwide ….” .niehs.nih.gov/research/programs/geh/geh_newsletter/2014/4/articles/air_pollution_accounts_for_1_in_8_deaths_worldwide_according_to_new_who_estimates.cfm.
- “Indoor Air Quality | US EPA.” 16 Jul. 2018, .epa.gov/report-environment/indoor-air-quality.
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