Phthalates and breast cancer.
What is the link?
Is there a link between phthalates and breast cancer?
Different phthalates may have different effects on hormones and breast cancer risk. Phthalates can affect breast cancer risk because they mimic or interfere with the hormone oestrogen.
Some phthalates, including DBP and DEHP, that copy oestrogen could elevate risk, since having high levels of oestrogen is a risk factor for breast cancer. But for other phthalates like BBP, evidence on their effect on risk differs between lab- and population-based studies, meaning more research is needed.
Animal studies have indicated that phthalate exposure in the womb may alter the development of the mammary gland and make it more susceptible to the effects of other cancer-causing chemicals in the future.
Tips to reduce your exposure to phthalates.
Go scent-free.
Choose fragrance-free cosmetics and toiletries.
Opt for wood and glass.
Use wood or glass when cooking, eating and drinking. Pick toys made of wood or fabric, avoiding plastic.
Eat fresh.
Choose fresh food, avoiding processed and packaged food where possible.
Key facts about phthalates.
Phthalates are Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) that interfere with male and female sex hormones.
They are found in two main types of plastic:
- PVC Plastic (Recycling Code 3): Used to make the plastic stronger and more flexible (e.g., in toys, shower curtains, cables).
- PET Plastic (Recycling Code 1): Sometimes found in single-use bottles, even if not intentionally added.
Products listing "fragrance," "parfum," or "perfume" may contain these chemicals. They are used in cosmetics, toiletries, and cleaning products to make fragrances/perfumes last longer. Phthalates have been detected in the human body in blood, urine, breast milk, and breast tissue.
How are we exposed to phthalates?
Phthalates can be slowly released from plastic items into our environment. During food production and storage, these chemicals may leach from plastic equipment and packaging into food, water and soft drinks. Children may also be exposed to phthalates when playing with plastic toys.
Phthalates can also be absorbed through our skin or breathed in from cosmetics or beauty products. Studies have shown that people who use cosmetics and perfumes have higher exposure to EDCs than people who don’t.
A study has found that 98% of the US population has phthalates in their urine, which means that almost everyone is exposed to these EDCs. Phthalates have also been measured in blood, urine, saliva, amniotic fluid, semen, breast tissue and breast milk.
How do phthalates interfere with our hormones?
Studies in cells have shown that phthalates may interfere with the endocrine (hormone) system by:
• Changing the levels of sex hormones, such as testosterone, oestrogen and progesterone.
• Lowering the activity of testosterone (male sex hormone).
• Copying the action of oestrogen (female sex hormone).
• Decreasing the activity of oestrogen.
Some phthalates may only act through one of these mechanisms, while others may interfere with hormones in multiple ways.
Are phthalates regulated in the UK?
Some phthalates are recognised to be harmful chemicals due to their toxic effects on reproduction and/or endocrine disrupting properties. These phthalates have been restricted or banned from toys, cosmetics, beauty products and materials that come into contact with food or are used in baby products. However, manufacturers can simply swap these phthalates with unregulated ones for which the effects on our health are unknown.
Start your prevention journey today.
Here are 3 easy changes to reduce phthalate exposure:
- Go fragrance-free: switch to products (cosmetics, cleaners, air fresheners) labelled "fragrance-free," as phthalates are often hidden under the terms "fragrance" or "parfum" on ingredients lists.
- Avoid soft vinyl (PVC): steer clear of plastic items marked with recycling code #3 (PVC/Vinyl), especially children's toys and shower curtains.
- Ditch plastic for food: use glass or stainless steel for storing and reheating food, and avoid plastic wrap. (Phthalates leach more easily when plastic touches fatty food or is heated).
Remember, small changes add up over time and can help reduce your risk of breast cancer.
Further reading
For more information, please read our Phthalates and Breast Cancer science review.
Last review: Jun-24 | Next review: Jun-27.
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- Peivasteh-roudsari L, Barzegar-bafrouei R, Sharifi KA, Azimisalim S, Karami M, Abedinzadeh S, et al. Origin, dietary exposure, and toxicity of endocrine-disrupting food chemical contaminants: A comprehensive review. Heliyon 2023;9:e18140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18140.
- Romero-Franco M, Hernández-Ramírez RU, Calafat AM, Cebrián ME, Needham LL, Teitelbaum S, et al. Personal care product use and urinary levels of phthalate metabolites in Mexican women. Environ Int 2011;37:867–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2011.02.014.
- Wittassek M, Koch HM, Angerer J, Brüning T. Assessing exposure to phthalates – The human biomonitoring approach. Mol Nutr Food Res 2011;55:7–31. https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201000121.
- Zota AR, Calafat AM, Woodruff TJ. Temporal Trends in Phthalate Exposures: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2010. Environ Health Perspect 2014;122:235–41. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1306681.
- Hlisníková H, Petrovičová I, Kolena B, Šidlovská M, Sirotkin A. Effects and Mechanisms of Phthalates’ Action on Reproductive Processes and Reproductive Health: A Literature Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020;17. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186811.
- Meng M, Yang Y, Song L, Peng J, Li S, Gao Z, et al. Association between urinary phthalates and phthalate metabolites and cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Heliyon 2024;10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29684.
