As more research is conducted, there has been growing concern regarding whether cosmetics and sunscreen can be a risk factor for breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, accounting for 30 percent of cancers diagnosed in women. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2021, about 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women worldwide.

What Are Cosmetics?

Cosmetics refer to a broad range of products, including but not limited to, makeup, skincare, haircare, and fragrances. According to the U.S.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA), cosmetics are defined as “articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance without affecting the body’s structure or functions.”.

What Are the Risks Associated with Cosmetics?

While there is no clear evidence that cosmetics directly cause breast cancer, there are some concerns about the potential risks associated with certain ingredients used in cosmetics.

Some ingredients, such as phthalates, parabens, and triclosan, have been shown to have hormone-disrupting properties. Since breast cancer often has hormonal involvement, some experts have suggested that these ingredients may play a role in the onset of breast cancer.

Phthalates

Phthalates are a group of chemicals often used to make plastics more flexible. While they are not commonly used in cosmetics today, they were widely used in the past in nail polishes, hair sprays, and perfumes.

Phthalates are known to have estrogenic, anti-androgenic, and anti-thyroid effects, which can disrupt the body’s hormonal balance and potentially contribute to the development of breast cancer.

Parabens

Parabens are a group of preservatives that are often used in cosmetics to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. They are commonly found in a wide range of products, including makeup, skincare, and haircare products.

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Parabens have been shown to have weak estrogen-like effects which can potentially promote the development of breast cancer.

Triclosan

Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal agent often used in hand soaps, body washes, and toothpaste. Studies have shown that triclosan may disrupt thyroid function and potentially affect the development of breast cancer.

The FDA has banned the use of triclosan in hand soaps, but it is still allowed in other personal care products.

What About Sunscreen?

Sunscreen is often used to protect the skin against the harmful effects of the sun’s UV radiation.

While there is no clear evidence that sunscreen causes breast cancer, there have been some concerns about the potential risks associated with some ingredients used in sunscreen.

Oxybenzone

Oxybenzone is an organic compound that is often used in sunscreen. It has been shown to have hormone-disrupting properties, which can potentially contribute to the development of breast cancer, among other health concerns.

However, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) states that the benefits of using sunscreen to protect against skin cancer outweigh the potential risks associated with oxybenzone.

Conclusion

While there is no clear evidence that cosmetics and sunscreen directly cause breast cancer, there have been some concerns about the potential risks associated with certain ingredients used in these products.

It is important to be aware of the ingredients in the products you use and to read the labels carefully. If you have concerns about the potential risks of specific ingredients, you may want to consider using products that do not contain those ingredients or switch to alternative products that have been shown to be safe.