A new study has revealed that exposure to hundreds of chemicals used in everyday products may be linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.
She pointed out that exposure to some of these substances may begin years, or even decades, before the onset of the disease.
The researchers identified more than 900 chemicals previously linked to the possibility of developing breast cancer, including substances that can affect hormonal balance, and others that have been shown to cause breast tumors in animals.
Among these substances is malathion, the active ingredient in a common head lice treatment known as Derbac M, which can be used for children from the age of six months.
The list also included bisphenol A (BPA), used in some plastic containers, beverage cans and payment receipts, and methylparaben, a preservative used in the manufacture of moisturizers, shampoos and deodorants.
Researchers analyzed more than 12 U.S. government databases to identify sources of exposure to these substances, and found that hundreds of them are still used in everyday products, including building materials and medical equipment.
The study also highlighted benzene, which people are exposed to through car exhaust and cigarette smoke, and styrene, which is used in some ready-made coffee cups and food containers, as well as DEHP, a material used to soften plastics and found in some medical equipment.
These findings, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, come at a time when breast cancer cases are on the rise among younger women; cases among women aged 20 to 49 have increased by about 10% over the past decade.
Jennifer Kay, the study's lead author, said that people are exposed to hundreds of chemicals from various sources throughout their lives, and the effects of this exposure can accumulate over time. She added that breast cancer can take years to develop, so reducing exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, especially in early life, may be part of prevention efforts.
The researchers believe the findings reveal a potential gap in oversight systems, as safety assessments often focus on chemicals separately, rather than considering the potential impact of human exposure to a mixture of different substances.
However, the study does not prove that exposure to any of these substances inevitably leads to breast cancer, nor is the disease linked to a single, specific cause. Known risk factors include advancing age and family history, as well as factors such as alcohol consumption, smoking, being overweight, and exposure to certain hormones.
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