Exposure to common chemical during pregnancy may reduce protection against breast cancer
Propylparaben, a common chemical found in cosmetics, food, and drugs, can cause changes in the breast that may prevent the protective effect pregnancy hormones against breast cancer. This implies that we should be careful regarding the products that we use, that can expose us to propylparaben.
Propylparaben is known to be an endocrine disruptor, which means that it can cause hormonal imbalances, at a certain level in the body. Although, industrial studies found that the hormonal disruption happens only at very high levels; this study revealed that even small levels of propylparaben can disrupt the hormonal imbalance.
It is a well-known fact that pregnancy hormones offer protective effects against breast cancer. However, high levels of propylparaben have been found to prevent this protective effect.
Although, the findings came from animal studies, it holds a potential when forming preventive strategies against breast cancer. It also implies that unusually high exposure to the chemical can be bad for women with high risk of breast cancer. We also should try to minimize our exposure to this chemical by regulating the industry standards, and raising awareness about it.
Source: Joshua P Mogus, Charlotte D LaPlante, Ruby Bansal, Klara Matouskova, Benjamin R Schneider, Elizabeth Daniele, Shannon J Silva, Mary J Hagen, Karen A Dunphy, D Joseph Jerry, Sallie S Schneider, Laura N Vandenberg. Exposure to propylparaben during pregnancy and lactation induces long-term alterations to the mammary gland in mice. Endocrinology, 2021; DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab041
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