The Breast Cancer Connection

In a study conducted at Redding University on 20 breast cancer tissue samples, 18 of the samples were found to have parabens present. The cause for alarm is evident when put into context with the evidence that when paraben has migrated through the skin and into the body, it will bio-accumulate and bio-mutate and is believed to mimic the hormone estrogen leading to hormonal imbalance. One of the most promising developments in the ongoing research of breast cancer was the discovery that estrogen can cause tumors to grow and spread more quickly. Therefore, the evidence of parabens in pathology reports has been taken seriously by many in the medical and personal care industries. The question is, do parabens cause cancer? The answer is we do not know yet. A lot more research has to be done.

It is not our goal to create a mass paraben paranoia. I have to make it clear that it has not yet been proven that parabens cause cancer. In fact we know that genetics play at least a 25% role in the "cause" of cancer. The other 75% is likely environmental.

But I do have a compelling question: How do parabens get inside of the body? If I apply them to the skin, how do they migrate internally? One possible explanation is simple. Women shave under their arms and then apply underarm deodorant containing parabens. Shaving is exfoliation. It removes layers of skin rendering the skin less able to perform its main function as a human organ, to shield the organs that are on the inside from external substances.

As a woman and as an esthetician I carefully regulate everything that goes on and inside my body. Until the issues regarding parabens and cancer are resolved, I want to limit my exposure, and the exposure of my clients to these questionable ingredients.

NEXT>>