Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in many cosmetics, beauty products and food. They stop the growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria, allowing a longer shelf life.
Parabens can enter your body through your skin from cosmetics and beauty products such as shampoo, cream and toothpaste. They can also be ingested when eating food, mainly from processed or canned food.
Studies have shown that practically everyone is exposed to parabens. The levels of parabens in your body are linked to your use of cosmetics and beauty products containing these chemicals. Reducing your use of these products is an effective way to reduce exposure.
Parabens are Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) that can interfere with your hormones, particularly the female hormone oestrogen. High levels of oestrogen are linked to an increased breast cancer risk.
Parabens can mimic the action of oestrogen or increase its activity. Parabens may also interfere with how hormone levels are controlled in the breast tissues, causing increased oestrogen levels. This may be particularly relevant post-menopause when the ovaries stop producing oestrogen, and the breast regulates its own oestrogen production.
To this date, studies on humans are too limited to say if there is a conclusive link between parabens and breast cancer. However, studies on cells and animals suggest that this association is possible. Parabens may be involved in various stages of tumour formation and growth and may contribute to the spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body.
For this reason, Breast Cancer UK recommends a precautionary approach and suggests you limit your exposure to parabens as much as possible.
Look out for cosmetics and beauty products containing:
Even if the use of parabens in food in the UK is less common than in other countries, make sure you check food labels for these additives:
For more details and references, please see our Parabens and breast cancer science review.
