> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.foodconsumer.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Preservative in consmetics may cause breast cancer - URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/parabens_breast_cancer_0319120752/ - Published: 2012-03-19T21:50:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-22T16:15:10.000Z - Description: A Journal of Applied Toxicology study measured paraben esters in tissue from 40 mastectomies and found at least one in 158 of 160 samples. The authors note no causal link to breast cancer has been established, but parabens act like estrogen, which is known to promote breast carcinogenesis. - Author: Food Consumer - Tags: Environment, Health News, Breast Cancer, Parabens, #vivvo-import By David Liu, PHD Monday March 19, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study published on Jan 12, 2012 in the Journal of Applied Toxicology suggests that using cosmetics and food with parabens added as preservatives or other ingredients may boost breast cancer risk in women. A number of previous studies with two published in 2004 in the same journal found also that parabens were present in breast cancer tissue, suggesting that these toxic chemicals may play a role in the carcinogenesis of the breasts. The current study was conducted led by L. Barr and other members of the same group at University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust in Wythenshawe Manchester, UK. The researchers measured five esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens) in tissues collected from four locations of 40 mastectomies for primary breast cancer collected in England between 2005 and 2008. At least one or more paraben esters were quantifiable in 158 out of 160 samples or 99% of the samples and all five esters were measured in 96 out of 160 samples (60%). Overall, the median concentration of n-propylparaben methylparaben n-butylparaben ethylparaben and isobutylparaben was 16.8, 16.6, 5.8, 3.4 and 2.1 ng/g tissue respectively. The average concentration of parabens was 85.5 ng/g tissue. The link between parabens and breast cancer risk has been subject to a decent amount of research. But no causal relation has been established and nor will be in the future because these chemicals are known to be toxic and human trials will be unethical. However, paranbens have been found to be estrogenic, meaning that they act like the female reproductive hormone estrogen, which is known to promote the carcinogenesis of the breast cancer. Because of this, researchers believe that it is possible that parabens just like estrogen can promote breast cancer development. So what are parabens? Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used as preservatives by cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries to prevent spoilage by bacteria and fungi. They are commonly used in shampoos, commercial moisturizers, shaving gels, topical/parenteral, pharmaceuticals, spray tanning solution, personal lubricants, toothpaste, and even foods. Many researchers currently believe no sufficient evidence suggests that parabens cause breast cancer. This notion can mislead consumers to believe that parabens are safe. It should be noted that only about 5% of chemicals on the market may have been subject to some safety tests. The majority have not. Another possible concern that may not have drawn attention from researchers is about the possible effect of these parabens on the development of boys' sexual organs. Because parabens are estrogenic, maybe using parabens-contained consmetics may inhibit development of the male reproductive system? Breast cancer, which is in many cases preventable, is expected to be found in 210,000 women in the United States in 2012 and the disease will kill an estimated 50,000 in the country this year, according to the National Cancer Institute.