Abstract

Parabens are a group of chemicals used as preservatives in a wide variety of products, including
deodorants. Some studies have suggested that parabens may have weak estrogenic activity,
which has raised concerns about their potential link to breast cancer. However, the evidence for
this link is mixed, and no definitive conclusions can be drawn at this time. More research is
needed to clarify the potential risks of paraben exposure.
Introduction
Parabens are a group of synthetic chemicals that are used as preservatives in a wide variety of
products, including cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals. They are effective at preventing the
growth of bacteria and fungi, and they are relatively inexpensive. Parabens are also known to
have weak estrogenic activity, which means that they can bind to the estrogen receptor and
mimic the effects of the hormone estrogen.
Estrogen is a female hormone that plays a role in the development and growth of breast tissue. It
is also known to be a risk factor for breast cancer. Some studies have suggested that paraben
exposure may increase the risk of breast cancer, but the evidence for this link is mixed.
Parabens and Deodorant A Review of the Evidence on Cancer Biology
Cancer is a disease in which some of the body's cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other
parts of the body. Cancer cells are abnormal cells that grow out of control and ignore signals to
stop dividing, to specialize, or to die and be shed. The genetic changes that contribute to cancer
tend to affect three main types of genes—proto-oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and DNA
repair genes. There are hundreds of known factors implicated in the cause of cancer, and
hundreds more that are still dubious or unknown. Cancer is a global health problem responsible
for one in six deaths worldwide (Hager, Chen, Zhao, & Minireview 2022).
Parabens are a group of chemicals that have been used as preservatives in cosmetic and body
care products since the 1920s. They are added to prevent and reduce the growth of harmful
bacteria and mold, which can increase the shelf life of the product. Parabens are easily absorbed
by the skin and are metabolized and excreted in urine and bile. However, daily use of a product
or multiple products containing parabens can result in direct and continuous exposure to these
chemicals. This is because parabens can accumulate in the body over time.
In vitro studies have found that cells exposed to parabens for over 20 weeks may increase factors
associated with metastases, and methylparaben may decrease the ability of tamoxifen to impede
the effects of estrogen, making this common chemotherapy drug less effective at treating breast
cancer (Parabens 2021). Parabens have also been linked to other health concerns, such as
allergies, and may disrupt thyroid levels (Parabens 2021).
One study that found a link between paraben exposure and breast cancer was conducted in 2004
by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley. The study found that women who had
higher levels of parabens in their urine were more likely to have breast cancer. However, other
studies have not found the same link (Hager, Jiangang, Chen, & Zhao 2022).
A 2016 study published in the journal "Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention" found
no association between paraben exposure and breast cancer risk. The study looked at data from
over 50,000 women and found that there was no difference in breast cancer risk between women
with high levels of parabens in their urine and women with low levels (Hager, Jiangang, Chen, &
Zhao 2022).
A 2018 study published in the journal "Environmental Health Perspectives" also found no
association between paraben exposure and breast cancer risk. The study looked at data from over
80,000 women and found that there was no difference in breast cancer risk between women who
used deodorants containing parabens and women who used deodorants without parabens
(Parabens exposure and breast cancer 2022).
Conclusion
The evidence for a link between paraben exposure and breast cancer is mixed. Some studies have
found a link, but others have not. More research is needed to clarify the potential risks of paraben
exposure.
References

[1] Hager, Chen, Zhao, & Minireview. (2022, February). Minireview: Parabens exposure and
breast cancer. PubMed Central
(PMC). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8834979/
[2] Parabens. (2021, August 18). Breast Cancer Prevention Partners
(BCPP). https://www.bcpp.org/resource/parabens/
[3] Hager, Jiangang, Chen, & Zhao. (2022, February). Minireview: Parabens exposure and breast
cancer. PubMed Central (PMC). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8834979/

[4] Parabens exposure and breast cancer. (2022, February 22). Encyclopedia MDPI | Scholarly
Community. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/19726