Personal care products with parabens harm breast cancer cells in Black women, research finds

13 Jun 2022 --- Parabens, which are commonly found in hair and personal care products, have detrimental effects on breast cancer cells in Black women, according to a new study that will be presented at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting – ENDO 2022 – in Atlanta, US.

“These results provide new data that parabens also cause harmful effects in breast cancer cells from Black women,” explains Lindsey Treviño, lead researcher and assistant professor in the Division of Health Equities and the Department of Population Sciences at City of Hope, US.

“One reason for the higher risk of breast cancer may be the exposure to harmful chemicals called endocrine-disrupting chemicals in hair and personal care products. These chemicals mimic the effects of hormones on the body.”

Parabens are endocrine-disrupting compounds often used in hair and other personal care products as preservatives. When exposed to parabens, breast cancer cells proliferate, invade, and express genes linked to cancer and hormone function.

Researchers add that a review of paraben-free and other dangerous chemical-free cosmetics indicated fewer paraben-free options promoted to Black women.

The laboratory data contribute to the goal of the Bench to Community Initiative (BCI). BCI is co-led by Dr. Dede Teteh at Chapman University, Dr. Lindsey Treviño at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Community Advisory Board (CAB) members: Tonya Fairley, Bing Turner, Tiah Tomlin-Harris and Maggie Hawkins.

The initiative brings together scientists and community members to understand the sociocultural perspectives of hair and identity for Black women, the types of hair products they use and how these products could increase their risk for breast cancer.

Parabens are endocrine-disrupting compounds that are often used in hair and other personal care products as preservatives.

Paraben impact on cell lines
Breast cancer affects one out of every eight women in the US at some point in their lives. Black women under 40 are at a higher risk of getting breast cancer than any other racial or ethnic group, finds the study.

“While this project focuses on Black women, the knowledge we gain about the link between exposure to harmful chemicals in personal care products and breast cancer risk can be used to help all women at high risk of getting breast cancer,” says Treviño.

The impact of parabens on breast cancer cells in Black women was investigated by the researchers who found parabens accelerated the growth of a Black breast cancer cell line.

“Black women are more likely to buy and use hair products with these types of chemicals, but we do not have a lot of data about how parabens may increase breast cancer risk in Black women,” Treviño underscores.

“This is because Black women have not been picked to participate in most research studies looking at this link. Also, studies to test this link have only used breast cancer cell lines from white women.”

The impact of parabens on breast cancer cells was not observed in the white breast cancer cell line.

The findings revealed that in both Black and white women’s breast cancer cell lines, parabens boosted the expression of genes linked to hormone activity.

Parabens also aided the spread of breast cancer cells, with the Black breast cancer cell line showing a more substantial effect.

Edited by Nicole Kerr

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