Parabens, widely used as preservatives to inhibit microbial growth, are present in numerous personal care products such as lotions, deodorants, hair care products, shaving products, pharmaceuticals, textiles, clothes, and foods. This pervasive presence results in continuous and repetitive human exposure through dermal or gastrointestinal absorption. Once absorbed, parabens are distributed throughout the body and have been detected in human tissues, blood, breast milk, placenta, and urine. Among the various parabens, the four most commonly found in biological fluids are methylparaben (MP), ethylparaben (EP), propylparaben (PP), and butylparaben (BP). Given their widespread use and detection in the body, understanding the potential health risks associated with parabens, including their correlation with cancers such as breast cancer, is crucial.
Similar to other endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), exposure to parabens has been linked to adverse reproductive health outcomes in women. Studies have shown that higher concentrations of urinary parabens are correlated with earlier onset of breast development, pubic hair growth, and menarche in girls, as well as accelerated genital development in boys. Additionally, it is hypothesized that exposure to certain EDCs may contribute to increased cell proliferation and tumor growth in breast tissue.
Research indicates that parabens can mimic estrogen, leading to an increase in breast cell proliferation. While many cell-based studies have focused on the effects of parabens on the estrogen receptor, they often overlook other systems that influence breast cancer development. One study, which attempted to replicate the conditions of cells and tissues by introducing proteins known as growth factors, found that these proteins promote the expression of HER2, a protein present in 25 percent of breast cancers. Specifically, the study discovered that the presence of a growth factor called heregulin enabled parabens to stimulate the estrogen receptor at levels previously considered non-toxic in cell-based research. Additionally, some studies have shown that certain concentrations of parabens may inhibit programmed cell death, a critical process for eliminating damaged cells. In vitro studies further indicate that prolonged exposure to parabens (over 20 weeks) may enhance factors linked to metastasis. Moreover, methylparaben has been found to reduce the effectiveness of tamoxifen, a common chemotherapy drug, by diminishing its ability to counteract the effects of estrogen in breast cancer treatment.
The pervasive presence of parabens in the U.S. population, particularly among women, high-income households, and African Americans, raises significant health concerns. Products marketed to African Americans, such as certain hair care items, often contain higher levels of parabens. The vulnerability of pregnant women, fetuses, and young children to these endocrine disruptors underscores the importance of minimizing exposure during critical developmental stages. To reduce the risk, consumers should opt for “paraben-free” products and avoid those listing parabens like propylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, heptylparaben, and methylparaben. Given the bans by the European Commission and Denmark on butylparaben and propylparaben in children's products, it is crucial to be particularly vigilant with items marketed to kids. As awareness grows, choosing safer alternatives can help mitigate the potential health risks associated with parabens.
Hager, E., Chen, J., & Zhao, L. (2022, February 8). Minireview: Parabens exposure and breast cancer. International journal of environmental research and public health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8834979/
Parabens, widely used as preservatives to inhibit microbial growth, are present in numerous personal care products such as lotions, deodorants, hair care products, shaving products, pharmaceuticals, textiles, clothes, and foods. This pervasive presence results in continuous and repetitive human exposure through dermal or gastrointestinal absorption. Once absorbed, parabens are distributed throughout the body and have been detected in human tissues, blood, breast milk, placenta, and urine. Among the various parabens, the four most commonly found in biological fluids are methylparaben (MP), ethylparaben (EP), propylparaben (PP), and butylparaben (BP). Given their widespread use and detection in the body, understanding the potential health risks associated with parabens, including their correlation with cancers such as breast cancer, is crucial.
Similar to other endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), exposure to parabens has been linked to adverse reproductive health outcomes in women. Studies have shown that higher concentrations of urinary parabens are correlated with earlier onset of breast development, pubic hair growth, and menarche in girls, as well as accelerated genital development in boys. Additionally, it is hypothesized that exposure to certain EDCs may contribute to increased cell proliferation and tumor growth in breast tissue.
Research indicates that parabens can mimic estrogen, leading to an increase in breast cell proliferation. While many cell-based studies have focused on the effects of parabens on the estrogen receptor, they often overlook other systems that influence breast cancer development. One study, which attempted to replicate the conditions of cells and tissues by introducing proteins known as growth factors, found that these proteins promote the expression of HER2, a protein present in 25 percent of breast cancers. Specifically, the study discovered that the presence of a growth factor called heregulin enabled parabens to stimulate the estrogen receptor at levels previously considered non-toxic in cell-based research. Additionally, some studies have shown that certain concentrations of parabens may inhibit programmed cell death, a critical process for eliminating damaged cells. In vitro studies further indicate that prolonged exposure to parabens (over 20 weeks) may enhance factors linked to metastasis. Moreover, methylparaben has been found to reduce the effectiveness of tamoxifen, a common chemotherapy drug, by diminishing its ability to counteract the effects of estrogen in breast cancer treatment.
The pervasive presence of parabens in the U.S. population, particularly among women, high-income households, and African Americans, raises significant health concerns. Products marketed to African Americans, such as certain hair care items, often contain higher levels of parabens. The vulnerability of pregnant women, fetuses, and young children to these endocrine disruptors underscores the importance of minimizing exposure during critical developmental stages. To reduce the risk, consumers should opt for “paraben-free” products and avoid those listing parabens like propylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, heptylparaben, and methylparaben. Given the bans by the European Commission and Denmark on butylparaben and propylparaben in children's products, it is crucial to be particularly vigilant with items marketed to kids. As awareness grows, choosing safer alternatives can help mitigate the potential health risks associated with parabens.
Full Fact. (2022b, June 24). No evidence that parabens in cosmetics cause 99% of cancers. https://fullfact.org/health/parabens-cancer/
Parabens. Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP). (2021, August 18). https://www.bcpp.org/resource/parabens/
Hager, E., Chen, J., & Zhao, L. (2022, February 8). Minireview: Parabens exposure and breast cancer. International journal of environmental research and public health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8834979/