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.

Professor Andreas Kortenkamp, from the University of London, who wrote the report, said in the European Parliament that governments must phase out the suspect chemicals and replace them with saferalternatives.

“There is a widely held misconception that breast cancer is an inherited disease, arising from certain genes, and therefore inevitable. This is a myth. Most cases of breast cancer are acquired over a women’s lifetime, and so most are preventable. Eight out of nine women who develop breast cancer do not have an affected mother, sister or daughter,” he said.

The suspect chemicals disrupt hormones and mimic oestrogen. They are BPA, found in babies’ bottles and food storage containers; parabens found in toiletries and cosmetics including deodorants, and alkylphenols found in plastics, paints, inks and detergents.

While some argue there is not sufficient evidence to link these chemicals directly to breast cancer, Prof Kortenkamp said their effect depended on when they were absorbed by the body. For instance, the most dangerous times for females to be exposed to them is when they are still in the womb or during puberty.

Research showed while chemicals may be all right on their own, the cocktail and total amount of such chemicals poses real risks.

MEP Avril Doyle, who chaired the discussion on the report, said: “Certain man-made chemicals which are hormone disruptors or carcinogens should be removed from the market.

“We must not miss the current policy opportunities to do this through the EU’s chemical safety regulation Reach, reforming pesticide rules and the legislation on cosmetics that is currently under review.”