***As of July 2009, the Breast Cancer Awareness RSS Syndicator is now supported by NinjaForge***

To help raise breast cancer awareness within the Joomla community, we have had a component and module developed for the Joomla content management system. This Joomla 1.5 extension, the ‘Breast Cancer Awareness RSS Syndicator‘ enables users to have complete flexibility over creating RSS feeds!

Download links

Breast Cancer Awareness RSS Syndicator Component

Breast Cancer Awareness RSS Syndicator Module

Example

Click here to see the Breast Cancer Awareness RSS Syndicator in action. Beetham Tower use the Breast Cancer Awareness RSS Syndicator to syndicate their content. Other websites using the BCA RSS plugin include:

• A website about online marketing and Joomla.
• A travel website giving travel advice and hints to travelers.
• A website for the designer Ian Lang.
• A website for a criminal defense attorney in clearwater Florida.
• A website sharing the biographies of famous Christians.
• A website for a driving instructor in the UK.
• A website of a church in Manchester.

The conclusion is that the Breast Cancer Awareness RSS Syndicator is a plugin versatile enough to be used across any website.

Please review it!

If you have found this extension helpful, please review the extension on our Joomla Extensions Directory page.

The Extension

The Breast Cancer Awareness RSS Syndicator Component allows users to create any number of RSS feeds in a variety of different formats.

Using this extension you have control over:

• Feed name and description
• Output type: RSS 0.91, RSS 1.0, RSS 2.0, MBOX, OPML, ATOM, ATOM 0.3, HTML, JS
• Number of articles to include in feed
• How to order the feed
• Show frontpage items or not
• Articles, sections and categories to include/exclude
• Render Images or HTML in the feed or not
• Whether to show full text, a number of words in feed or just the article introduction
• Feed button

There is even a button maker in the component which enables you to create your own RSS feed buttons!

The module

The Breast Cancer Awareness RSS Syndicator Module allows you to publish the RSS feeds you create with the Breast Cancer Awareness RSS Syndicator Component.

Using this module you can choose:

• RSS feed to include
• Alignment of the feed buttons

Extension and module screenShots

Installation instructions

First of all, download the component and module using the download links above. Then login to the backend of Joomla as an administrator and navigate to the ‘Extensions’ drop down menu, and click on the ‘Install/Uninstall’ link:

Under the ‘Upload Package File’ section, click ‘Browse’ to find on your computer the component and module you have just downloaded. Click on ‘Upload and Install’. You will need to install them one at a time.

When you have installed the component and module you can now go ahead and customise them!

Video instructions

How to install the component and module

Click here to view the ScreenCast showing how to install the component and module

How to create your first feed

Click here to view the ScreenCast showing how to customise the component

Questions

If you have any questions about this plugin, please use the NinjaForge support forum.

Panel:

Stacy Malkan, Author of ‘Not Just a Pretty Face’ - Health Care Without Harm

“To transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment” - The Campaign for Environmentally Responsible Health Care.

Pauli Ojea, Community Organiser - Breast Cancer Action

“Breast Cancer Action carries the voices of people affected by breast cancer to inspire and compel the changes necessary to end the breast cancer epidemic” - Challenging Assumptions. Inspiring Change.

When did you first become aware of the issues and dangers surrounding the body health debate/ parabens?

Stacy Malkan: Many animal studies conducted over the past several years show that parabens have estrogenic effects on the body. The cosmetics industry’s own safety panel classifies parabens as known endocrine disruptors. Our concern about parabens is that these estrogenic chemicals are widely used in so many products. On any given day, most people are exposed to multiple parabens at unknown concentration levels. For example, when I researched my teenage beauty routine, I learned that I had been exposing myself to two dozen parabens a day, just from beauty products, before even getting on the school bus. The companies are not considering these real-world exposure levels.

Pauli Ojea: It was around 2002 that this issue first came on our radar. In early 2003, we launched our first public awareness campaign regarding the connection between parabens and phthalates in cosmetics and breast cancer. The campaign was targeted specifically around cosmetics companies that used these harmful ingredients while at the same time marketing themselves as companies that care about breast cancer. We call these two-timing companies pinkwashers.

What do you see as the major dangers facing the population with regards to chemicals used in cosmetics?

Stacy Malkan: The major danger is the routine exposure to the many toxic chemicals used in personal care products. Many products we rub on our bodies on a daily basis – from lotion and deodorant, to soap and even baby shampoo – contain low levels of carcinogens, hormone-disrupting chemicals, and/or chemicals that are toxic to the brain, skin or other bodily organs. Recent science shows that even low doses of certain chemicals can interfere with normal bodily functions and contribute to disease. (Two good resources on current science: http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/ and http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/) Chemicals can also act synergistically, causing increased toxicity. The companies continue to say their products are safe, but there are no laws requiring cosmetic companies to understand the health effects of the chemicals they are using.

Pauli Ojea: Many of these chemicals are linked to breast cancer and reproductive problems. And the major danger is that these are products that we use many of, multiple times a day. Think about how many different body care products you use in one day and how many times a day you use them. In addition, we are also exposed to harmful chemicals in our air, food, water, and other consumer products. These little exposures add up over time, and may be having very serious impacts on our health.

Do you think the government and other agencies are doing enough to combat the issues being discussed?

Stacy Malkan: Absolutely not! The current regulatory system is broken. Companies are allowed to put nearly any chemical in personal care products with no required safety testing, no follow up health monitoring, and without disclosing all the product ingredients. The current system rewards ignorance, works against innovation and disadvantages companies that are doing the right thing. As long as companies can hide toxic ingredients in their products, as long as consumers are confused and have a difficult time telling the difference between safe and toxic products, it’s easy for the big companies to keep using the same old toxic chemicals rather than switching to safer alternatives.

Pauli Ojea: The government must do a better job at protecting people from harm.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the government entity that is responsible for regulating chemicals in cosmetics in the United States. According to its web site:
• The FDA cannot regulate or require companies to do safety testing of their cosmetic products before they are released to the marketplace. Neither cosmetic products nor cosmetic ingredients are reviewed or approved by FDA before they are sold to the public.
• The FDA does not have the authority to require manufacturers to register their cosmetic establishments, file data on ingredients, or report cosmetic-related injuries. The FDA maintains a voluntary data collection program, and only those cosmetic companies that wish to participate in the program forward data to FDA.
• The FDA is not permitted to require recalls of cosmetics. They can only monitor a company once it voluntarily decides to conduct a product recall.
• If the FDA wishes to remove a cosmetic product from the market, it must first prove in a court of law that the product may be injurious to users, improperly labelled, or otherwise violates the law.
As a result, many cosmetics that contain harmful chemicals currently go to market without any kind of safety testing. If it is later determined that a product is truly harmful, the FDA cannot simply remove it from the market, even though many people may already be using it. The FDA bears the cost and burden of proving that a chemical is harmful, when it should be the cosmetic companies that have to prove their products are safe before releasing them to market.

Could you recommend any other useful sites/ blogs of use to our readers?

Stacy Malkan: Check out the Skin Deep database at www.cosmeticdatabase.org. Sign up for action alerts at the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, www.safecosmetics.org. My blog is at www.NotJustaPrettyFace.org

Pauli Ojea: The following web sites have good information to help guide consumers who are looking for healthier products:

www.cosmeticsdatabase.com
-This web site, created by the Environmental Working Group, is a searchable database evaluating the safety of thousands of different body care products
www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org
-This web site, created by our organization, Breast Cancer Action, lists companies that do not use parabens and/or phthalates. It also includes links to scientific studies and other resources regarding this issue.
www.bcaction.org
-This web site is Breast Cancer Action’s main web page, and there is significant information there regarding cosmetics, as well as other environmental health and other breast cancer-related issues.
www.safecosmetics.org
-This is the web page for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, which urges cosmetics companies to make healthier products.

Is there any further advice or information that you could share with regards to particular brands or products that could or should be avoided?

Stacy Malkan: The best advice is, simpler is better. Choose products with fewer synthetic chemicals, use fewer products overall and try to avoid “fragrance” which is a synonym for “unknown chemical soup.” Take an especially close look at bubble baths, children’s products, body lotions and anything we are exposed to in larger amounts on a daily basis. The good news is, there are safer alternatives out there in every product category, and they work just as well as conventional brands. Skin Deep is a good resource for finding products with lower toxicity. www.cosmeticdatabase.org

Hi everyone,

Bionsen and the charity Against Breast Cancer have come together to launch a campaign called ‘Early Morning, Early Warning’ to encourage women to check their breasts regularly as part of their morning routine. We aim to get women more familiar with what to look out for, how to check their breasts and ultimately promote early detection of any issues.

To launch the campaign, breast care nurse specialist and trustee of the charity, Victoria Harmer will be running a question and answer session here in the blog area of www.bodyhealthdebate.co.uk.

We are asking women to submit any questions related to breast awareness and breast cancer and its causes and treatment. Please submit your question here by leaving a comment and Victoria will post her advice here in the blog on 6th October.

Please feel free to let your family and friends know about the session and ask ANY question that you may have. Thank you!

Did you know that breast cancer strikes 1.3 million people across the globe annually? Of these, 465,000 cases will be fatal.

Let their stories be an inspiration to you that breast cancer can be beaten, and that life indeed can go on!

1. Sheryl Crow 

Former music teacher turned singer-songwriter, Sheryl Crow, now aged 46, was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in February 2006. Crow had minimally invasive surgery followed by radiation therapy. Crow did a documentary film in 2007 called Crazy Sexy Cancer. She also wrote the foreword to Kris Carr’s book Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips that was based on her documentary.

2. Kylie Minogue

Born in Melbourne Australia, sultry pop superstar Kylie Minogue was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in May 2005. She put an end to her touring schedule in order to have chemo and radiation treatments. A sharp rise in the number of women aged 25 to 44 who chose to have breast imaging and breast biopsies was triggered by Minogue’s diagnosis at the age of 37. Minogue likened her battle with the disease to “experiencing a nuclear bomb.”

3. Olivia Newton-John

Breast cancer survivor and health advocate, Olivia Newton-John was diagnosed in 1992. A friend of Minogue’s, Newton-John appealed to the media and the public to give the younger star her privacy. Newton-John released an album called Stronger Than Before in 2005 to promote breast cancer awareness. She is also currently raising money to build the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre in Melbourne Australia.

4. Jaclyn Smith

Jaclyn Smith, well known for her role as Kelly Garrett on Charlie’s Angels, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002, 15 years after fellow Angels star Kate Jackson (Sabrina Duncan), began her treatment for the disease. Jackson has fought the battle twice. Smith is the spokesperson for a program called “Strength in Knowing: The Facts and Fiction of Breast Cancer Risk.”

5. Richard Roundtree

Roundtree has acted in a number of films and television shows, but is best known for his role as private detective John Shaft in the 1970 film Shaft. Richard Roundtree is living proof that breast cancer does not just happen to women. He discovered a lump in his right breast in 1993. This was followed by chemotherapy, radiation treatments and a mastectomy. Roundtree has become an advocate of the disease and works closely with the Susan G. Komen Foundation. He frequently speaks to men’s groups regarding the importance of early detection.

6. Cynthia Nixon

Sex and the City’s no-nonsense lawyer Miranda Hobbs was portrayed by actress Cynthia Nixon, who has experienced breast cancer herself, but also saw her mother battle it when she was 12 years old. Nixon remained quiet about her 2002 diagnosis for some time as she quietly campaigned behind the scenes. She became a breast cancer activist and was able to convince NBC to air her breast cancer special on primetime. In 2008, she became a spokesperson and ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

7. Melissa Etheridge

Grammy-winning rock singer Melissa Etheridge was diagnosed with stage II cancer that had spread to one of her lymph nodes in the latter half of 2004. She actively works to raise awareness of breast cancer. Her song “Take a Little Piece of My Heart” has become an anthem for breast cancer survivors everywhere.

8. Carly Simon

Singer-songwriter Carly Simon underwent a mastectomy followed by reconstructive surgery in October 1997. During her healing and recovery, she wrote an autobiographical album titled The Bedroom Tapes.

9 . Christina Applegate

Since having been diagnosed with breast cancer Applegate underwent a double mastectomy and is now 100% cancer free, with plans to have reconstructive surgery in the following months.

10. Nancy Reagan

In 1987, former first lady Nancy Reagan, was diagnosed during a routine mammogram. The Nancy Reagan Breast Center, a care facility based in California is named in her honour.

Draw strength from your favorite celebrities. Breast cancer can be battled and beaten! Early detection is vital. Join the fight to make breast cancer a part of history.

http://www.breakthrough.org.uk/what_we_do/breakthrough_publications/deodorant.html

In developed countries, the lifetime probability of acquiring breast cancer is 4.8 %. In developing countries, it is 1.85%. The probability for a woman to develop any form of cancer in her lifetime is 13%.

One of the best ways to fight against breast cancer is through knowledge. There are a plethora of web resources available, and to save you time and money, we have compiled together the top resources. This breast cancer resource guide features 50 valuable websites that will help you and your loved ones get informed. Let’s join together and fight breast cancer!

American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org
This website is an excellent place to start. You can easily choose a cancer topic, and plenty of information will be available for your perusal. Look to the left under the “Find It Fast” section, and you will find cancer facts and figures, research programs, clinical trials, stories of hope, and an article titled “Making Strides against Breast Cancer.” Type “breast cancer guide” into the Search category and you will be taken to the ACS- Detailed Guide to Breast Cancer, which provides lots of useful information.

National Cancer Institute
http://cancernet.nci.nih.gov/cancertopics/
This site features a variety of topics related to breast cancer including risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. This site also includes information about breast cancer in men.

Imaginis- The Women’s Health Resource
http://www.imaginis.com/
If you want to find general information on breast cancer, then this site offers a number of breast cancer topics as well as related cancer topics. It also boasts statistics on breast cancer, including incidence, screening and survival.

Breast Cancer Center
http://www.patientcenters.com/breastcancer/
This web resource is aimed at those who have metastatic breast cancer (which is Stage IV cancer). It is also aimed at those patients who are suffering through a recurrence of the cancer. There are news and articles listed, as well as lots of general information. There is also information about emotional support and how to cope with treatment.

Cancer Research UK
http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk
This site provides the causes and symptoms of breast cancer, as well as tests and treatment for breast cancer. It also offers coping methods for those living with advanced breast cancer.

MedicineNet.com
http://www.medicinenet.com/breast_cancer/
Take a look through the Breast Cancer Index and you will find a wealth of information. If you are a fan of pop star Kylie Minogue, listen to an audio podcast of her discussing her fight with breast cancer.

Detailed Breast Cancer Risk Calculator
http://www.halls.md/
If you would like to estimate your chances of developing breast cancer, then visit this site and answer the questions listed to assess your risk.

BreastCancer.Net News
http://www.breastcancer.net/
This website provides breaking news on breast cancer treatment and research findings on a consistent basis.

National Cancer Institute- Med News
http://imsdd.meb.uni-bonn.de
This site offers comprehensive information about the treatment options for breast cancer. There is also general information about breast cancer and the stages of the disease.

Breastfit.com
http://www.breastfit.com
This site provides a guide to fit and healthy breasts. There is information about self exams, breast cancer types, myths and treatments.

Understanding Breast Cancer
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk
Here you will finds a multitude of information on such topics as breast lumps, causes and diagnosis, treatments, organizations, resources and support.

Understanding Breast Reconstruction
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk
This site provides information for women who have had, or who are about to have, reconstructive surgery on their breast as a result of breast cancer.

OncoLink
http://oncolink.upenn.edu
This cancer resource comes from the University of Pennsylvania and features cancer resources and news, as well as cancer trials. There is an “Ask the Cancer Expert” to provide knowledge regarding your specific questions.

Health A to Z
http://www.healthatoz.com
Not specifically a cancer website, this major health resource still provides plenty of information regarding breast cancer. If you type “breast cancer” into the Search category, you will be directed to a wealth of relevant links.

Canadian Breast Cancer Network
(The National Network & Voice of Breast Cancer Survivors)
http://www.cbcn.ca/
The Canadian Breast Cancer Network features recent news as well as groups, communities and links to provide you with support.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure
http://cms.komen.org
This website teaches women how to do breast self-exams. You can download and print breast self-exam (BSE) cards for your own use.

American Cancer Society- Look Good… Feel Better
http://www.cancer.org
The Look Good… Feel Better program is a free service that helps female cancer patients learn techniques for improving their appearance while they are taking chemotherapy treatments or radiation. Self-help materials such as a 30-minutre video can be ordered free of charge from this website.

TLC Tender Loving Care
http://www.tlcdirect.org/
This is a not-for-profit patient service created by the American Cancer Society. This website offers information and support for women suffering from hair loss due to their cancer treatments. Products for hair loss can be purchased from the site, as well as mastectomy products.

HealingWell.com
http://www.healingwell.com/breastcancer/
Providing both emotional and health resources, there is a great amount of breast cancer resources here, and it features new books that have been written on the topic.

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
http://www.cbcf.org
Enter this website and choose the English or French version. The CBCF provides information for those suffering from breast cancer and also features Canadian oriented news related to breast cancer and information about thinking pink and the fight for the cure.

Your Breast Cancer Guide
http://en.chatelaine.com
First published in the Canadian magazine, Chatelaine in October 2003, this informative guide is a valuable resource for patients of breast cancer and their loved ones.

Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada
http://www.willow.org
This is a breast cancer support organization that provides free information and help to those whose lives have been affected by the disease. The site features an educational video that is worth viewing.

About.com Breast Cancer
http://breastcancer.about.com
This website discusses a number of components that are important to know about breast cancer- everything from what it is, to the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. This website also discusses how to cope with your workplace if you are fighting against cancer, such as sick time, medical leave and telling your colleagues and your boss about your condition.

Breast Friends
http://www.breastfriends.com
A helpful and caring website dedicated to improving quality of life for breast cancer patients and survivors. This not-for-profit organization’s website features two inspirational videos called “A Practical Guide to Breast Cancer Support” and “Breast Friends Programs and Testimonials.” This is an excellent website to visit for support and a dose of inspiration.

Info Breast Cancer (Stan and Carol’s Web Site)
http://www.infobreastcancer.ca
This is a down to earth personal website with plenty of useful information. In particular, the “Helpful Hints” section has much to offer the breast cancer patient.

The Breast Cancer Site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com
If you wish to give hope to others through a charitable donation or by way of your story of hope, this is a site that you will want to visit.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer Association (IBC)
http://www.ibchelp.org/
IBC is a form of breast cancer that is less common. This site provides a multitude of helpful information on the topic, including screening methods, standard tests and survivors’ stories.

Mama’s Health.com (Breast Cancer)
http://www.mamashealth.com
This website features a short list of breast cancer hotlines and information centers for your reference.

Breast Cancer Network of Strength
http://www.networkofstrength.org
This network has been around for 30 years and its mission is clear- to reinforce the point that no one needs to go through breast cancer alone. If you are looking for strength and emotional support, do not bypass this website.

Breast Wishes
http://breastwishes.org
This website looks at the human side behind the disease. Here you will find tools and tips from survivors, what to say to someone with cancer, recipes, poetry, and ways to know what your risk is.

NBC- National Breast Cancer Coalition
http://www.stopbreastcancer.org
To help do your part when it comes to the legislative side of breast cancer, visit this site and join others as an advocate for the cause.

Health Talk. Breast Cancer
http://www2.healthtalk.com
This website provides information for those suffering from breast cancer and those who love them.

Breast Thermography
http://www.breastthermography.com
A look at what medical infrared imaging is and how it can help in the early detection of breast cancer.

Helping Children Cope with Breast Cancer
www.youngsurvival.org
A four page PDF document that gives mothers diagnosed with cancer suggestions for helping their children to cope with their diagnosis.

Helping Children When a Family Member Has Cancer (ACS)
http://www.cancer.org
This website features an excellent article that deals with many aspects of helping children come to terms with what it means when a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer. (This article is not just about breast cancer, but all forms of cancer.)

Parenthood.com
http://www.parenthood.com
This particular page provides ways to help children cope with hearing the news of their mother’s diagnosis of breast cancer.

BreastHealthOnline
http://www.breasthealthonline.org
This website provides information, support and resources, not just for breast cancer but for your breast needs in general.

Cancer News
http://www.cancernews.com
This website is dedicated to bringing the latest cancer news and information in regards to treatments, diagnosis and the prevention of cancer.

Chemocare.com
http://www.chemocare.com
If you are looking for information regarding chemotherapy, then you are likely to find it at this web resource. The site looks at what happens during chemotherapy and how life will be afterwards.

Roberts Review: New Cancer Treatments
http://www.robertsreview.com
If you have heard something on the news or read a piece in your newspaper about a new cancer treatment for breast cancer (or any other from of cancer), then visit this website to see if it has made the front page here.

The Breast Site
http://www.thebreastsite.com
An informative guide to breast health. This site includes information about breast cancer, breast surgery, and the right bras. You can stay ahead of developments through its breast blog.

True Faces of Breast Cancer
http://www.truefacesofbreastcancer.org
This website provides a wealth of information with a personal slant. Be aware however that the lack of graphics makes this website a little hard on the eyes.

I Can Cope
http://www.cancer.org
I Can Cope is an educational program sponsored by the ACS. Many communities offer I Can Cope Classes for free. It is also possible to take the classes online. Visit the website for more information.

Tell A Friend
http://www.cancer.org
Tell A Friend is an early detection breast cancer program where women encourage their loved ones and friends to have a mammogram.

The American Breast Cancer Guide
http://www.abconline.com
If you would like to order a free copy of “The American Breast Cancer Guide,” which is a comprehensive resource directory, then you should visit this site to find out how.

Breast Cancer Network Australia
http://www.bcna.org.au
This beneficial website from Australia has information for people who have been newly diagnosed with the disease, as well as information regarding secondary breast cancer, policy & advocacy and plenty of stories. There is also a hair loss fact sheet.

Breast Cancer Care-Changes You May Face
http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk
This website focuses on what to expect from breast cancer treatment, including early menopause, body image and sexuality.

Action Breast Cancer
http://www.cancer.ie
This website is chocked full of beneficial information for the breast cancer patient. There is a section on drug therapies and one on younger women and breast cancer. This website comes from Ireland.

AHRQ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
http://www.ahrq.gov
This website looks at surgery choices for women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. This site is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Love to Know- Wholesale Mastectomy Bras
http://lingerie.lovetoknow.com
A look at mastectomy bras and the benefits of wearing one after breast surgery.

Are we missing any others? Just leave your suggestions in the comments and we will add them to the list.

1. http://www.live-naturally.co.uk

This page on Live Naturally outlines some of the effects of using Parabens.

A quote from them on the subject of Parabens “We believe the least amount of chemicals our bodies are exposed to, the better for our health, whether through additives and preservatives in food or cosmetics and skincare.”

2. http://pathguy.com

Ed Friedlander MD outlines the case that anti-perspirants are not a breast cancer risk.

3.  http://the-coveted.com

Gives a great rundown of the top 5 problem ingredients used in cosmetics today.

4. http://www.care2.com

This page from Care2 gives some great basic overview of the Paraben issue being used in cosmetics

5. http://www.breastcancerfund.org

This page from the Breast Cancer Fund offers a table that lists the chemicals used in cosmetics that are linked to breast cancer.

6. http://www.treehugger.com

This page on the Treehugger site outlines how women can ‘go greener’ by checking ingredients on the back of their cosmetics.

7. http://www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org

This page from Breast Cancer Action shows how some cosmetic companies publicly state they are against Breast Cancer but still include Parabens in their products.

8. http://www.thegoodhuman.com

This blog post from The Good Human tells us his story on why he has chosen to avoid Paraben based products

9. http://www.skrewtips.com

This blogger has looked at how many products contain parabens.

10. http://www.cancer.gov

This page from the National Cancer Institure highlights all the research relating to parabens in deodarants causing breast cancer.

These difficult-to-pronounce ingredients make up a group of chemicals known as parabens, which are preservatives added to cosmetics to prolong their shelf life. Parabens can be found in a wide array of cosmetics, such as body wash, deodorant, and face and body creams – but are they a risk to your health?

The Argument against Parabens: Link with Breast Cancer

Presence of Parabens in Breast Tumor Tissue

Recently, parabens in cosmetics have come under close scrutiny after researchers discovered that parabens correlated with increased breast cancer risk. Published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology, in a study conducted by Dr. Phillippa Darbre of the United Kingdom, 18 tissue samples from 20 different breast tumors revealed parabens present in the breast tissue.

This finding is especially concerning since the chemical make-up of parabens mimics the hormone estrogen. Increased estrogen levels have been linked to breast cancer; thus, it stands to reason that parabens, which mimic this hormone, could potentially have the same carcinogenic effects. Indeed, if a breast cell’s DNA has predisposition for cancer, then parabens could accelerate the growth of malignant cells. A study published by the European Journal of Cancer Prevention came to the conclusion that the use of antiperspirant and underarm shaving had correlations with a diagnosis of breast cancer at an earlier age.

Breasts are a susceptible site for chemical storage

Additionally, as Darbre points out, women are more susceptible to hormone-mimicking chemicals because they have a greater percentage of body fat where these chemicals can be stored. The breast is one of these storage sites.

Darbre also noted that the breast tumor samples where the parabens were found were from the upper outside area of the breast, closest to where deodorants and body cosmetics are applied. Since these products contain parabens, this is cause for alarm. As well as potentially increasing the risk of developing breast cancer, parabens have been linked to birth defects and developmental disorders in children, as well as infertility and endometriosis in women.

The Argument for Parabens: No Conclusive Research

While Darbre’s findings cast a suspicious light on parabens in cosmetics and their association with breast cancer, other researchers state that more studies are needed before a link between the parabens in cosmetics and breast cancer can be ascertained.

Dr. Chris Flower, of the United Kingdom’s Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association, says that women have nothing to fear when it comes to parabens in their cosmetics and breast cancer. Flower firmly believes that research has shown parabens to be safe substances that rarely penetrate beneath the skin, and if they do, are quickly broken down into a harmless substance by the body.

So why then, was Dr. Darbre able to find parabens in the tissue samples of women with breast cancer, and what does this mean for the cosmetics companies who use parabens? According to Dr. Timothy Moynihan, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Darbre’s findings mean very little without further study.

As Moynihan points out, Darbre’s study only showed that parabens existed in the tissues of women with breast cancer; it did not prove that parabens caused the breast cancer. Additionally, Darbre’s study did not indicate what the source of the parabens was – whether cosmetics, food, or another environmental pollutant.

Moynihan also cites an earlier study in 2002 that looked at 1,606 women who used underarm deodorants and antiperspirants, evaluating the relationship between this use and breast cancer. This study found no significant increase in breast cancer in the women who used these products.

In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration argues that the low levels of paraben use of cosmetics should not spark concern for breast cancer of health issues.

How to Protect Yourself

While there is conflicting evidence about the role parabens in cosmetics play in breast cancer, there is little doubt that chemicals are harmful to your body. Unfortunately, little has been done to protect women from the potentially harmful chemicals, such as parabens, found in cosmetics.

While the European Union banned over 1,100 chemicals from being used in cosmetics due to their link with cancer and birth defects, the United States has only banned 9 chemicals from being used in cosmetics. However, American women have demanded that cosmetics companies listen to their concerns and the following safety measures have been put into place.

• Safe Cosmetics Act. Several American states such as California have passed the Safe Cosmetics Act, requiring cosmetics companies to disclose ingredients that are listed on federal and state registries of chemicals associated with cancer and birth defects. This will assist women in arming themselves with the knowledge needed to make safe choices about the cosmetics they use on their bodies.

• Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep. The Environmental Working Group is dedicated to exposing potential threats to public health through laboratory research and review of scientific studies. The Skin Deep project has created an extensive database that allows users to search products, ingredients, and cosmetics companies for known toxins.

• Compact for Safe Cosmetics. The following is an abbreviated list of brands that have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, an agreement to produce cosmetics that are free of parabens or other harmful chemicals. Still remember to read the labels, as not every product they make may be wholly safe.

o JASCO Organics

o Kiss My Face

o Perfect Organics

o Aubrey Organics

o Burt’s Bees

o Oracle Organics

o Samantharoma

o Weleda

o Nothing Nasty

o Bella Mira

While these are certainly steps in the right direction, the best way to protect yourself against parabens and other harmful chemicals in cosmetics is to simply avoid them.

In a United Kingdom experiment, two women who admitted to heavy cosmetics use were asked to give urine samples for researchers to measure the presence of parabens. In one woman, researchers found 650mg of parabens per liter of urine – a considerably high reading. This woman was then asked to avoid using any cosmetics that contained parabens and was only allowed the use of organic, natural cosmetics. After eight days of abstaining from paraben-filled cosmetics, researchers again measured her urine and found that the paraben levels had dropped to 21mg per liter.

Obviously, avoiding cosmetics is the surest way to protect yourself against parabens and their potentially harmful effects. However, if avoiding cosmetics is out of the question, please exercise caution when purchasing them, and take the time to learn what products are safe and which ones are harmful.

We found this article really useful in summarising a study that was undertaken last year on the link between aluminium and anti-perspirants.  We’ll endeaour to dig these kind of things out for you and highlight them on the blog - please let us know if you find them useful…

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1562001/Breast-cancer-’linked-to-use-of-deodorants’.html

Sweat itself is not the cause of body odour. In fact, body odour is generated when bacteria on the skin begins to feed on sweat secreted by the apocrine glands.

Anti-perspirants work by using chemicals and aluminium compounds to close the ducts of the sweat glands and prevent the release of perspiration. Powerful astringents are used to shrink and constrict body tissue and obstruct the pores, which halts the release of sweat available for bacteria to digest.

While this method may keep us dryer, some medical professionals have expressed concerns about this continual obstruction of our body’s natural method of lowering temperature.

Many anti-perspirants can continue to work for anywhere between twelve and forty-eight hours and the sweat glands remain blocked during this period. Excessive use can even cause permanent damage to the duct and cause a painful lump to form under the arm which may require surgical removal.

For those people concerned with the idea of halting the body’s cooling system, deodorants can provide a more natural alternative. Deodorants allow perspiration but work by targeting the odour.

Antiseptic agents and germ-killing ingredients target and kill the bacteria that causes body odour on contact. Fragrances also work to combat body odour but the natural, finely-tuned balance of the body is not affected.

If you have concerns about blocking the skin’s pores with aluminium compound then searching for a deodorant could help put your mind at rest.