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Using personal care products (PCPs) during puberty may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, according to a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives.
“Some PCPs contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals that may affect [breast cancer] risk. Patterns of use vary by race and ethnicity. Use often starts in adolescence, when rapidly developing breast tissue may be more susceptible to environmental carcinogens,” researchers said.
However, few studies have analyzed the link between breast cancer and PCP use during this timeframe.
In their study, researchers asked women 35 to 74 years of age to identify which of 37 “everyday” PCPs they used between the ages of 10 and 13 years. Respondents included 4049 Black women, 2104 Latina women, and 39,312 White women.
The results showed that while adolescent PCP use was not clearly linked to breast cancer diagnosis among Black, Latina, or White women, hazard ratios (HRs) were elevated for Black women who noted frequent nail product and perfume use (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.85-2.12). HRs were also elevated in Black (HR,
1.28; 95% CI, 0.91-1.80) and Latina (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 0.81-2.48) women who reported greater hair product use.
Researchers concluded the results provide “some support for the hypothesis that PCP use during puberty is associated with [breast cancer] risk.” They noted more research is needed.