MILLIONS of women could be unknowingly increasing their risk of breast cancer by using everyday toiletries, a charity has warned.
, face creams and make-up may be harmless on their own, but when layered on the they could create harmful chemical combinations.
Breast Cancer UK says these so-called endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can interfere with the body’s hormone system.
This can contribute to the development of , which kills around 11,500 people a year in the UK.
A new YouGov poll for the charity found that over a quarter of UK women – around 8.5million – use at least six personal care products daily, exposing themselves to an estimated 168 different chemicals every day.
“Looking at chemicals in isolation can lead to a dangerous underestimation of their risk to public health,”;; Gareth Lloyd-Johnson head of public affairs and policy at Breast Cancer UK said.
“Regulations must be re-evaluated to better reflect our real-life exposure – no product can be viewed inside a vacuum.”;;
With breast cancer deaths in the UK set to soar by more than 40 per cent by 2050, the charity is calling on women to ditch their if they contain these harmful chemicals.
“While scientific evidence is mounting, the extent of the threat posed by chemical cocktails is still being uncovered,”;; Dr Hannah Moody, the charity’s director of research, said.
As part of its Ditch The Junk campaign, Breast Cancer UK has published a list of “no-go”;; ingredients – harmful chemicals commonly found in everyday toiletries
The list also highlights which products are most likely to contain them, to help women make safer choices.
Make-up and nail varnish are believed to contain the highest number hormone disrupting chemicals which mimic the hormone and interfere with the body’s natural balance.
According to the charity, many of these products include at least two of the top three EDCs to avoid: , and .
Phthalates, often used to strengthen plastics, are found in nail varnish, shampoos and hairsprays.
When applied to the skin, they can be absorbed into the body and disrupt normal hormonal function — raising the risk of breast cancer.
These substances are often listed on ingredients labels as “parfum”;; or “fragrance”;;, as they are commonly added to make scents last longer.
Another category to be wary of are face creams and moisturisers, which are likely to contain a high number ofparabens.
These can penetrate the and boost oestrogen production, linked to higher breast cancer risk.
While many parabens have been banned due to their hormone-disrupting effects, other endocrine disruptors still lurk in everyday beauty products, warns the charity.
Breast Cancer UK also warns against synthetic fragrances, which commonly contain musk ketone, benzyl salicylate, and diethyl phthalate – chemicals known to harm the female reproductive system and increase breast cancer risk.
To reduce exposure, the charity urges women to simplify their beauty routines and choose fragrance-free products whenever possible.
Check your breasts
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, making up a sixth of all cases.
Three in four women survive at least 10 years after diagnosis – a rate that has doubled over the past 50 years thanks to .
Women are urged to for signs such as lumps or swelling in the breast, chest or armpit, changes in skin texture, size or shape, nipple discharge (especially with blood), nipple changes, or ongoing pain.
These symptoms aren’t always cancer, but anyone noticing them should see their GP to be safe.
