Chemicals in cosmetics linked to breast cancer

CHEMICALS used in everything from plastic bottles to cosmetics are contributing to the huge increase in breast cancer in women, according to a scientific report discussed in the European Parliament.

Only 50% of breast cancers can be linked to specific established or known causes, such as genetic predisposition, the pill and hormone replacement treatment, weight gain and alcohol consumption.

But there is sufficient evidence to suggest that the missing causes are to be found in chemicals that disrupt hormones such as some pesticides, dioxins that contaminate food, chemicals that leak from plastic containers and UV filters used in sunblock.