Human Face on the Paraben Issue

[BakingNana]

I hesitated to post this cuz I don't want to start a big brouhaha over the issue, but I decided I really wanted to share this. Like everyone else, I read all the studies on parabens, etc. I'm no medical expert. I don't know what to believe, so for myself I don't use parabens and I state "no parabens" in my advertising.

This is what I wanted to share. At last weekend's craft show, a young woman came up to me with tears in her eyes. She'd read our sign, and she told me that last May she lost her best friend to breast cancer. When her tumors were first biopsied, the found a high level of parabens in them.

Again, I am not saying emphatically I believe parabens are a health hazard even if they end up in breast tumors. I just don't know. This is the first time I've ever had a personal encounter, so to speak, with the issue. I just wanted to share it.

 

[dubnica]

Thank you for sharing the story with us. I try to avoid parabens as well.

 

[soapbuddy]

I prefer not to use parabens as well.

 

[carebear]

I'm sorry for your friend.

And I'm not telling you that you need to use parabens, or that you need to believe what I'm saying - but think analytically and not emotionally about this very sad topic.

But first off, the flow of fluids between the arm pit and the breast is from the breast tissue TOWARD the arm pit.

There's been a lot of research to debunk the quasi research that first found the supposed connection. Here's just a taste.

http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Formulat ... ry-insider

it is biologically implausible that parabens could increase the risk of any estrogen-mediated endpoint, including effects on the male reproductive tract or breast cancer.

http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408440490920104

 

[BakingNana]

I'm sorry for your friend.

And I'm not telling you that you need to use parabens, or that you need to believe what I'm saying - but think analytically and not emotionally about this very sad topic.

But first off, the flow of fluids between the arm pit and the breast is from the breast tissue TOWARD the arm pit.

There's been a lot of research to debunk the quasi research that first found the supposed connection. Here's just a taste.

http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Formulat ... ry-insider

it is biologically implausible that parabens could increase the risk of any estrogen-mediated endpoint, including effects on the male reproductive tract or breast cancer.

http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408440490920104

Appreciate that...wasn't anyone I knew, though. Came from a new customer at a show.

That's what I mean. There's so much conflicting info I just can't know anything for sure. One thing I'm curious about though, Carebear, and I know you have a really good chemical knowledge base. I'm assuming the statement about the flow of fluids going away from the breast to the armpit is in conjunction with the discussion on parabens in antiperspirants. How do you think parabens get into human breast tumors? Again, I'm not debating. I don't know enough to debate the issue. Just curious.

 

[carebear]

I don't know - I haven't researched it from that perspective. But if I find anything I'll let you know.

 

[paillo]

I don't know - I haven't researched it from that perspective. But if I find anything I'll let you know.

i avoid parabens, phthalates and any other known or suspected endocrine disruptors. even if the research is ambiguous, i prefer to apply the precautionary principle.

 

[madpiano]

you do know that Japanese Honeysuckle and Bananas contain natural parabens?

http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_17679.cfm

and a lot of parabens come from food where they are also used as preservatives and are present naturally. I would think the body is much more likely to store ingested parabens than the ones we rub onto our skin.

Saying that, I prefer to be paraben free myself (cosmetics - I am not going to stop eating carrots).