Top breast cancer charity reveals full list of toxic chemicals in shampoos and face creams that carry tumour risk
Combinations of toxic toiletries used by mullions of women daily that increase their chances of developing breast cancer, a charity says.
Breast Cancer UK consumers are unaware that products like shampoos and face creams can contain substances which, while safe in isolation, can combine on the skin to produce endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs).
These chemicals interfere with the human hormone system and have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.
The charity warned that woman using many beauty or hygiene products in a single day are unknowingly creating a powerful ‘chemical cocktail’.
In fact, Breast Cancer UK estimates the average British woman is exposed to over 150 potentially harmful chemicals as part of their daily beauty regime.
With breast cancer deaths in the UK set to soar by more than 40 per cent by 2050, the charity is urging women to rid their daily routines of these harmful chemicals.
As part of their Ditch The Junk Campaign, the charity explained: ‘In our relentless pursuit of beauty, more and more synthetic chemicals have now been linked to adverse health effects including breast cancer’.
Dr Hannah Moody, the charity’s director of research, said: ‘While scientific evidence is mounting, the extent of the threat posed by chemical cocktails is still being uncovered.’
Breast Cancer UK said millions of women are unaware products like shampoos and face creams carried what are known as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)
Breast cancer is the UK’s most common cancer with almost 56,000 cases diagnosed per year
Head of the charity, Gareth Lloyd-Johnson, said restrictions on the chemicals manufacturers can use in products should consider the potential danger they pose when combined in real-life use as millions of women do every day.
‘Regulations must be re-evaluated to better reflect our real-life exposure—no product can be viewed inside a vacuum.’
As part of the campaign the charity have now released a list of some of these hazardous chemicals, and which products to find them in, in a bid to help women protect themselves.
Make-up and nail varnish are believed to contain the highest number of EDCs, which mimic the female hormone oestrogen and disrupt the normal balance of hormones in the body.
According to Breast Cancer UK, these products are likely to contain at least two of the top three chemicals to watch out for: parabens, phthalates and synthetic parfums.
Phthalates, which are commonly found in nail varnish, shampoos and hairsprays, are chemicals that are typically used to strengthen plastics.
However, when used in cosmetic products, the chemicals can seep through the skin, disrupting the body’s natural production of—and response to—natural hormones like oestrogen and testosterone, increasing the risk of breast cancer.
According to the charity, these toxins are usually listed as parfum or fragrance in ingredients lists as they are often used to help scents last longer.
Symptoms of breast cancer to look out for include lumps and swellings, dimpling of the skin, changes in colour, discharge and a rash or crusting around the nipple
Checking your breasts should be part of your monthly routine so you notice any unusual changes. Simply, rub and feel from top to bottom, feel in semi-circles and in a circular motion around your breast tissue to feel for any abnormalities
Another category to be wary of are face creams and moisturisers, which are likely to contain a high number of parabens.
Parabens— which include substances like methylparaben, propylparaben and ethylparaben—can penetrate the skin and trigger the production of oestrogen, which has been linked with an increased risk of breast cancer.
Whilst many parabens have been clinically shown to interfere with the hormonal system and therefore have been banned, many endocrine disruptors can still be found in everyday beauty products, the charity says.
Finally, the charity urged women to avoid synthetic fragrances.
It said these are likely to contain high levels of musk ketone, benzyl salicylate and diethyl phthalate—all of which have adverse effects on the female reproductive system, increasing the risk of breast cancer.
In order to minimise the risk of exposure to these harmful chemicals, Breast Cancer UK advises women to keep their beauty routines as simple as possible, using fewer un-fragranced products.
According to a YouGov survey commissioned by Breast Cancer UK, over one in four British women use at least six products as part of their daily beauty regime.
This equates to an estimated average of at least 168 different chemicals per day, the charity says.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in the UK each year, accounting for a sixth of all cases and 11,500 deaths.
Survival rates for breast cancer vary depending on what stage it is diagnosed but, overall, three out of four women are alive a decade after their diagnosis.
Breast cancer survival rates have doubled in the last 50 years in part thanks to regular screening and increased awareness of symptoms.
Women are encouraged to check their breasts regularly for potential signs of the cancer.
These include a lump, or swelling in the breast, chest or armpit, a change in the skin of the breast or general change in its size and shape.
Nipple discharge with blood, a change in the shape or look of the nipple and continuous pain in the breast or armpit are also signs of the disease.
While these are not always signs of cancer, anyone with these symptoms is advised to book an appointment with their GP so they can be checked.
Toxic chemicals that could increase risk of cancer, according to Breast Cancer UK
Make up and Nail Varnish:
Methylparaben
Ethylparaben
Propylparaben
Butylparaben
Cyclohexasiloxane
Cyclopentasiloxane
Cyclotetrasiloxane
Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate
2-bromo-2 nitropropane-1, 3-diol
5-bromo-5-nitro-1, 3 dioxane
Benzylhemiformal
Diazolidinyl urea
Cyclopentasiloxane
DMDM hydantoin
Imidazolidinyl urea
Methenamine
BHA
BHT
Fragrance
Parfum
Glyoxal
Lipstick:
BHT
Creams and Moisturisers:
benzophenone-3
benzophenone-4
ethylhexyl dimethyl PABA
ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
4-methylbenzylidene camphor
homosalate
Octocrylene
Methylparaben
Ethylparaben
Propylparaben
Butylparaben
Cyclohexasiloxane
Cyclopentasiloxane
Cyclotetrasiloxane
Hair spray and dye:
Parfum
Fragrance
Fragrance
Acetyl hexamethyl tetralin (AHTN or tonalide)
Benzyl salicylate
Fragrance
Musk ketone
Musk xylene
Diethyl phthalate
Parfum
Perfume
Hexamethylindanopyran (galaxolide)
Soap and body wash:
Triclosan
Triclocarbon
Fragrance
Parfum
Shampoo and conditioner:
Triclosan
Triclocarbon
Fragrance
Parfum
