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Written by Tintin
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Sunday, 12 October 2008 |
 There is a growing body of scientific evidence linking chemicals and
radiation in our environment spreading high rates of breast cancer.
While 216 chemicals have been identified as mammary carcinogens by
regulatory agencies, many other chemicals, (especially those known as
endocrine-disrupting compounds) are not classified by regulatory
agencies even though they are scientifically proved to be causes of
spreading this disease. “White (non-Hispanic) women of all ages have
the highest incidence of breast cancer of any racial or ethnic group in
the United States. American Indian/Alaska Natives have the lowest
incidence of the disease. Latinas have a much lower incidence of breast
cancer than either black or white women, but the figure is
rising.”(http://www.breastcancerfund.org, 2008)
Black women younger than age 35 have a higher incidence of breast cancer than their white counterparts, and a less favorable prognosis. They have more aggressive tumors that is typically estrogen-receptor negative, progesterone receptor negative, HER2 negative and basal-type tumors sometimes referred to as “triple-negative” tumors. Triple-negative tumors do not respond to hormonal therapies such as Tamoxifen. In addition, young black women present with more advanced breast cancer at diagnosis, including larger tumors and more lymph node involvement. Asian Americans, such as Japanese Americans and Chinese Americans, have the best survival rates though the reasons for these exceptions are not clearly understood. However, socioeconomic factors undoubtedly play a role in both environmental exposures and access to care. American Indian/Alaska Native (Not South-Asian or Indians) women have the lowest incidence of breast cancer and one of the lowest mortality rates. Research needs to move beyond examining patterns of mammography screening among various ethnic groups and a detailed understanding of breast cancer among women of color is urgently needed. (http://www.breastcancerfund.org, 2008)
Are your cosmetics safe?
Only 11 percent of all personal care products are tested for safety, and that many contain carcinogens and other toxic chemicals. The FDA has no authority to regulate the personal care products one use every day. Independent laboratory testing initiated by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics in 2007 found that lipsticks from top brands contain lead. (Remember L’Oreal) Two-thirds of the 33 samples we tested contained detectable levels of lead and of those, half were above the lead limit for lead in candy(Recently Cadbury recalled 20,000 of their products and China has the highest percentage of baby toys containing lead). Lead is a potent neurotoxin and linked to numerous other health and reproductive. So what are some of the most harmful ingredients in products? Mercury, (check for Thimerosal on ingredient labels) found in some eye drops, ointment and deodorants, lead acetate found in some hair dyes, cleanser, formaldehyde and toluene found in nail products, petrochemicals found in some hair relaxers, shampoos, mascara, perfume, foundation, lipstick and lip balm, coal tar found in dandruff shampoos, anti-itch creams and hair dyes, placenta, found in some hair relaxers (especially Brazilian Straightening products), moisturizers and toners and phthalates found in some nail polish, fragrances and hair spray. (Compact for Safe Cosmetics, 2008)
What are phthalates and where are they found?
Phthalates (pronounced THA-lates) are plasticizing chemicals that are probable human reproductive or developmental toxins and endocrine disruptors. Phthalates cause reproductive birth defects in laboratory animals, particularly males. Two phthalates often used in cosmetics (dibutyl and diethylhexyl) have been banned in the European Union. Unfortunately, phthalates are still found in some nail polishes and hair sprays, and are commonly hidden on ingredient labels under the term “fragrance.” We recommend that consumers steer clear of products with fragrance, especially pregnant women, babies and pubescent young adults. Arbonne, Avon, Mary Kay and Melaleuca are aware of the Compact for Safe Cosmetics but have refused to sign it. If they are truly supporting women’s health and if they are making “safe” products it shouldn’t be too hard for them to sign the Compact. Nearly 800 companies have signed the Compact, a commitment to manufacture personal care products free of known and suspected toxic chemicals.
(Compact for Safe Cosmetics, 2008)
For more information on safe cosmetics companies, please visit http://www.safecosmetics.org/companies/signers.cfm
References: http://www.safecosmetics.org/companies/signers.cfm
http://www.breastcancerfund.org/site/pp.aspx?c=kwKXLdPaE&b=44852
A Breast Cancer Fund report, published 2008
Edited by Janet Gray, Ph.D.
http://www.breastcancerfund.org/site/apps/ka/ct/ContactSent.asp?c=kwKXLdPaE&b=3957093&en=
9qKPIVPsGcKKLONsF9LOKVPrFeINK0NELfKMIUOBLfJUK9MQE&SupporterID=afJMJUNwHhKKJNMtGoG
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 21 October 2008 )
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Loads of thanks for such informative article...Yes probability of breast cancer among females is increasing day by day..Even I have read in some magazine that rigorous use of deodrants increases the probabilty of this disease...Whenever a branded company wishes to increase the price of any cosmetic product or anything be it shampoo or perfumes or any toileteries it adds such harmful chemicals to the product and increases its price..though such additions of chemicals give temporary solutions but its future effect is really alarming...Those anti-dandruff shampoos contain harmful chemicals which temporarily reduces dandruff but after effect is early emergence of grey hair,hair fall etc etc...Some foreign countries have even band the use of any Garnier product.Even a month back some heath related site suggested women to keep on changing sanitary pads at a gap of 3-4hrs otherwise these could be harmful..So awareness among the mass is essential...Thanks again for such an article..Hope you will soon come up with more related articles..Do u believe the herbal products which are capturing the market these days are really made from some natural herbs??Is there really any way to verify and keep ourselves away from the reach of such fatal diseases or there is no way of escape?? 
Why should women be always the victim..why why??
