Breast cancer prevention means controlling the environmental toxins running rampant in your home.
Manufacturers love to say that their products only use trace amounts of dangerous chemicals, often known or suspected carcinogens. But the problem is these “trace” chemicals add up in a woman’s system. This is especially true because the industrial era has brought so many chemicals into our lives in places that we might never have suspected.
Carcinogens hide in personal care products, furniture, building supplies, and cleaning products to name just a handful. But there are a number of steps that you can take to detox your home of many of these chemicals.
One of the biggest changes holistic health nutritionist and breast cancer survivor Kristina Sampson’s made in her life is switching to cleaning with vodka. That’s right, this health guru couldn’t believe what she found in so many of the household cleaning products we use without even thinking. Today, Sampson heads to the liquor store for her cleaning fix because she’s found that the cheapest vodka in the store is one of the best natural disinfectants on the market.
But that’s just the beginning. With the help of Sampson and tons of research, we’ve uncovered a crazy list of chemicals that all women should avoid where possible.
81 Toxic Breast Cancer Prevention Culprits Hiding in Your Home
Endocrine Disruptors
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that mimic estrogen in the body, and they are found in everyday products. They disrupt the body’s endocrine system (a bodily system made up of glands and hormones) from sending the correct signals. This group of chemicals include parabens, phthalates, triclosan, and triclocarbon. Of 40 women tested, parabens were found in 99 percent of their breast tumors, according to Sampson. These ingredients are used because they are chemically very stable which is good for manufacturing but bad for your body. Since the chemicals can’t break down, they stay in your system. Avoid them by reading labels. Also, avoid anti-bacterial products that likely contain triclosan. Here are a number of places they hide.
1. Shampoo
2. Conditioner
3. Body lotion
4. Face lotion
5. Anti-aging creams
6. Toothpaste
7. Socks
8. Foundation
9. Shaving cream
10. Anti-perspirants
11. Deodorants
12. Makeup remover
13. Spray gel
14. Facial wash
15. Eye cream
Fragrance
Many products that contain endocrine disruptors also contain another scary culprit, fragrance. When you see the word fragrance, you may picture fields of lavender or sunflowers–a subtle natural fragrance that makes all of your favorite products that much more appealing. Not so fast. Fragrances are one of the most dangerous chemicals in everyday products. Here’s why: Fragrances are protected by intellectual property and that means that manufacturers don’t have to tell you the source of the fragrance. Basically, it’s a ridiculous loophole that allows companies to hide what could be hundreds of chemical additives. Fragrance are a means of hiding endocrine disruptors, allergens, and neurotoxins in products. And they’re everywhere including almost all of the products listed above. Avoid fragrance by choosing fragrance-free products or fragrance that comes from natural sources which are listed. Here are some places you’ll find fragrance.
16. Soap
17. Body wash
18. Lipstick
19. Lip gloss
20. All purpose cleaner
21. Perfume
22. Body spray
23. Pet shampoo
24. Hand soap
25. Scented candles
26. Diffusers
27. Facial masks
28. Massage oil
29. Dryer sheets
30. Laundry soap
BPA
While BPA is also an endocrine disruptor, it gets a separate category because it’s found in another category of household products. BPA is an industrial chemical that has been used in plastics and resins.
31. Canned foods
32. Baby toys
33. Baby bottles
34. Plastic #7, polycarbonate
35. Compact discs
36. DVDs
37. Protective eyewear
38. Sales receipts
39. Sippy cups
40. Cell phones
41. Laptops
42. Tablets
43. PDAs
44. Computer gaming units
45. Game consoles
Benzene
Benzene is a colorless or light colored liquid that’s very flammable. Benzene is one of the top chemicals used for industrial purposes in the U.S. It’s also a chemical linked to breast cancer.
46. Tobacco smoke
47. Glue
48. Paints
49. Furniture waxes
50. Detergents
51. Gasoline
52. Solvents
1,3-Butadiene
This chemical is found in many of the mammary tumors of rodents. It’s an air pollutant and a human carcinogen. The pollutant had a greater impact on younger female rodents than on older.
53. Latex gloves
54. Spray sunscreens
55. Carpet
56. Adhesives
57. Rubber
58. Tires
Lead
Lead is a naturally occurring substance that’s found in the Earth’s crust. It’s an element, so it can’t be broken down into smaller pieces. Researchers have found that lead is a substance that causes cancer to grow. Although more research needs to be done to know definitively, it’s good practice to avoid this known neurotoxin whenever possible.
59. Drinking water
60. Soil
61. Ceramics
62. Bullets
63. Batteries
64. Pipes
Mercury
Methylmercury can disrupt the hormone regulated cellular process. Higher accumulations have also been found in cancerous breast biopsies of women than in women without cancer. Mercury is also known to impact the central nervous system. Those exposed to too much, can suffer from a wide array of symptoms including sleep disturbance, headaches, fatigue, memory and concentration problems, and neuropathy.
65. CFL lightbulbs
66. Fish
67. Thermometers
68. Thermostats
69. Skin lightening creams
70. Antiques
71. Vaccines
72. Dental fillings
Pesticides
Household pesticides and pest killing poisons are often listed as human carcinogens. Dichlorvos, a common ingredient in household pesticides, for example is associated with mammary tumors in rats and mice. Another, glyphosate is linked to non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Avoid household pesticides as much as possible in your home. Use natural methods like predatory insects to protect your garden and household plants.
73. Roach sprays
74. Roach baits
75. Bath and kitchen disinfectants
76. Rodent poisons
77. Insect repellants
78. Weed killers
79. Products that kill mildew
80. Flea and tick soaks
81. Bleach
Don’t panic. Of course some of these chemicals are currently in your home. It’s nearly impossible to be free of all environmental toxins. But there are steps that you can take to start reducing the build up. Some, of course, are easier than others. Start buying natural makeup and personal care products free of the chemicals above. Clean with vodka, white vinegar, and baking soda rather than chemical cleaners. Choose natural materials like untreated wood and glass in your home instead of plastic. And lose the chemical pesticides.
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Image: Wicker Paradise