Let’s talk about breast cancer.
If you’ve been following my work for a while, you know I’m usually talking about the indoor environment and how it can impact your health.
Today I want to talk about something a little different – your body care products.
Specifically, I want to talk about what you’re putting on your skin and a possible connection to breast cancer.
While many authorities, (or your family members 😉 ) assure you that skincare and other body care products are perfectly safe, I want to share a few of the facts.
Why Am I Talking About This?
Because of this alarming statistic: according to Cancer.org, there are over 310,000 diagnosed cases of invasive breast cancer in the US each year. This is the second leading cause of cancer death among women.
Not only that, but in the last few years diagnoses have been increasing by 0.6% annually.
There is an awful lot of talk surrounding genetics and how your genes may contribute to your breast cancer risk. But the truth is that only around 5-10% of cases can be attributed to genetics.
Unfortunately, most of the time it can be attributed to environmental factors – things like obesity, diet, alcohol, and tobacco use.
And here’s what I really want you to know: your chemical exposure can play a very large role.
You can read this recent research that identified over 900 chemicals as potential breast cancer carcinogens.
You’ve probably heard about most of these chemicals; things like PFAS (or forever chemicals) which have been getting a lot of press lately. Others include phthalates and parabens, chemicals often found in body care products.
Breast Cancer & Personal Care Product Use
The majority of body care products are made with parabens (which act as a preservative) and phthalates (used in fragrances). These two chemical classes have been identified as endocrine disruptors. (Endocrine-disrupting chemicals, or EDCs, are chemicals that interfere with the body’s hormones.)
Does it Really Matter?
Research has shown that using products with these chemicals is correlated with cancer-associated markers in breast tissue.
A study published in 2023 tracked women using body care products with phthalates and parabens and then asked the women to use products without these chemicals.
The researchers then compared breast tissue samples from before and after the switch. They noted that cancer-associated markers were significantly reduced after only 28 days of using paraben-free and phthalate-free products!
The research team concluded that reducing exposure to parabens & phthalates in personal care products is a “biologically plausible prevention strategy” for breast cancer.
Choose Safer Products
We can’t completely eliminate all breast cancer risk, but we can help minimize the risk factors in simple and effective ways.
Choosing safer personal care products free of endocrine-disrupting chemicals is a great place to start.
My Favorite Brands
So how do you know which products are clean and effective? Thankfully there are more and more effective natural products on the market than ever before.
Shopping at a local health food store or Co-op are often good places to source healthier body care products.
If you like to shop online, or you’re looking for recommendations. Here are a few of my favorite brands that I use daily:
–AnnMarie Skincare: this is hands down my favorite skin care line. The quality and sourcing of each ingredient goes above and beyond any other product line I know of. Their commitment to safe and effective products is beyond impressive. Use this link with the code CATHYCOOKE for 20% off.
–Mineral Fusion: if you’re looking for a clean makeup line, Mineral Fusion is for you. I use their pressed powder, eyeliner and mascara. Natural makeup has come a long way in the last 20 years!
–RiseWell: don’t forget about oral care! Yes, there are chemically laden toothpastes and mouthwashes out there. My dentist gave me a sample of RiseWell toothpaste at my last cleaning and I’ve been obsessed. I did a deep dive into Hydroxyapatite (the naturally occurring mineral that makes up 97% of our tooth enamel) and I’m impressed with the research on how it can strengthen and improve your oral health. Use this link with the code WHBH10 to save 10%.
–Andalou: a good, clean product line that is budget-friendly and accessible. I especially like the full spectrum options for various skin types. Use this link to get a free sample with each order.
Do you have amazing, chemical-free brands that you like? Let me know, I’d love to hear what you’re up to.
References:
PMID: 18626751
PMID: 38197648
PMID: 36746253
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Cathy Cooke, BCHN, BBEC Holistic Nutritionist and Building Biologist is the founder of Whole Home and Body Health which provides EMF Assessments, Mold Testing, and Nutrition and Health Consulting located in Boise, Idaho. Cathy is available for consulting via skype and phone, and is also willing to travel as needed for home assessments. Schedule an appointment today!