Is there scientific evidence parabens cause cancer?
Parabens are a class of chemicals known for their use as preservatives in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry.
They are commonly found in personal care products like shampoos, moisturizers, toothpaste and make up to extend shelf-life and eliminate fungi and bacteria.
Pretty much any product that contains water must contain a preservative so they are a necessary ingredient to protect the end consumer from bacteria and more.
Parabens had been used safely for years and years and at one time considered non-toxic, rapidly absorbed and excreted. Most used parabens are synthetically produced, although some newer preservative systems are considered “natural” parabens as they are derived from natural sources yet many fear that pose the same risks. The cosmetics industry insists that Parabens, which are used as preservatives and are approved for use by the FDA are safe.
Parabens have been used for years in cosmetics as an effective mold and bacteria inhibitor and are said to be much cheaper then some newer preservatives. This would explain their popularity. However, parabens are becoming increasingly controversial, because they have apparently been detected in extremely low concentrations in breast cancer tumors.
Their detection in human breast tumors is of concern since parabens have been shown to be able to slightly mimic estrogen (yes, that hormone known to play a role in breast cancer). These findings have led some scientists to conclude that the presence of parabens “may” be associated with the occurrence of breast cancer.
A molecular biologist researcher, named Philippa Darbre from UK, reported that the ester-bearing form of the parabens found in tumors indicate that they came from something applied to the skin, such as an underarm deodorant, cream or body spray, and stated that the results helped to explain why up to 60% of all breast tumors are found in just one-fifth of the breast – the upper-outer quadrant, nearest the underarm.
From this research it is not possible to say whether parabens actually caused the tumors, but they may certainly be associated with the overall rise in breast cancer cases. As breast cancer is a large contributor of womens cancer and a very high percentage of young women use underarm deodorants, further investigations into parabens and where they are found in the body should be carried out. While current studies do not causally link parabens with tumors, neither do studies demonstrate that parabens are safe; the long-term health effects of exposure to parabens are essentially unknown.
With this information you should make the decision based on your own research, health history and concerns.
In no way does this post support the use of parabens, nor do we recommend them, just here to share the poop.
Given there is no hard evidence either way at this time, yet there are SO many products with less questionable preservatives:
Flush It! 
