Breast Cancer : Personal Care Articles

:: Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Some Facts

Inflammatory Breast Cancer accounts for only 6% of all breast cancer cases reported in the US.

Alarmingly, it also accounts for 25% of inflammatory breast cancer related deaths, with statistics confirming most women diagnosed with the disease will fall terminally ill within 5 years. (Source: Mayo Clinic)

What causes inflammatory breast cancer is the unknown question scientists researching the disease, are seeking an answer for. All researchers now know is, “Inflammation of the breast tissue is caused by clogging of the lymph vessels under the skin”.

What causes that blocking is still a mystery.

This raises the question to the medical community and scientific researchers at large:

“If chemicals like polybrominated diphenyl ethers, found in blue jeans and no stick frying pans (PFC’s), and other dominant chemicals in the home such as parabens, used to prevent the growth of bacteria in cosmetics, deodorants, shampoos, and other household items, are proven to cause inflammation in humans, could these chemical toxins be present in those women diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, and could these toxins, in low doses, be built up over time with repeated exposure, leading to a blockage of the lymph vessels?”

(Parabens are linked to cancer and reproductive health problems. Researchers found 19 of 20 women whose blood was examined in lab studies revealed trace amounts of parabens. Source: Environmental Working Group)

Dateline NBC recently aired a two part report asking a similar question, “Do those living a green lifestyle have less chemical toxins in their blood stream than those who are not so green?”.

Two families were willing to take part in the Dateline blood analysis testing. (Blood analysis tests were conducted at Axys Analytical Labs in Canada)

The first family, the “Browns”, live a “normal” lifestyle, while the second family, aptly named the “Greens”, are avid environmentalist, even living in a green home they designed and built themselves. Their test results alarmingly proved a significant increase in toxic chemical build up in the Brown family over the Green family. Revealing chemicals such as:

Phthalates: Linked to Asthma nd found in plastics, it alters hormone levels in breast feeding baby boys.

Triclosan: Found in pesticides. Toxic to wildlife and disruptive to reproductive hormones, it also forms carcinogens when combined with chlorinated tap water. Carcinogens are cancer forming.

Bisphenol A/ BPA: Found in baby bottles, water coolers and metal food containers. Recent studies have shown this chemical to cause early puberty, breast cancer and diabetes. Top medical scientists consider it to be the number one health concern for public safety.

More testing is certainly required before researchers can confirm a link between indoor air quality and the onset of inflammatory breast cancer, but the early testing of chemical exposures inside the home do show a cause for concern, and for consumers to take precautionary measures with the products they bring into their homes, or work environment.

Researchers advise: “Check your home for toxic chemicals. Read the labels of the products you want to bring into your home, and ask yourself if that particular product could be harmful to you or your children. If the answer is “maybe”, leave it on the store shelf and find an alternative”.

Authors Note: If you or someone you know are living with inflammatory breast cancer, a simple blood analysis test can detect chemicals that may be the cause of inflammation in your body.

If these chemicals are found in your system, identify the source, and eliminate the products from your home.

Penned by- Thomas Palmieri; he is an informed environmentalist and respected Ezine Author.