We've all been watching the annual parade of 'pink' - all
in the name of raising money to fight breast cancer! The
objectives are admirable - more money for research for
early detection and maybe to defeat the causes of breast
cancer. AND it's important.
Somehow, despite all the pink ribbons and fundraising, the
disease continues to affect thousands of families every
year. Today breast cancer affects nearly 1 in every 6 women
and all cancers affecting 1 in 3 women. There is no family
that has been left untouched by cancer. An astounding toll!
So, what's going on here? Are there ways to minimize my
chances of getting it?
You know, it didn't seem like the odds of being affected by
breast cancer were as great when I was growing up. That
didn't mean I didn't see loved ones affected. In fact, my
mother-in-law contracted the disease and I would massage
her right arm after her mastectomy removed not only her
breast but also the lymph nodes under her arm, leaving
swelling and hard lumps. Because of my mother-in-law, I
also had an unusually large clientele of breast cancer
patients or those recovering from breast cancer.
Even with those experiences, it seemed that if you had a
relative who was affected, genetically you had a better
chance of having breast cancer. In fact, a common response
to the very mention of 'Cancer' was an automatic assumption
that you had been diagnosed and given a death sentence. Of
course, we now know that isn't the case and much progress
in diagnosis and successful intervention/treatment has
occurred in the past two to three decades. At the same
time, we've also seen the incidence of breast cancer
skyrocket! So it's now our responsibility to find and
practice common sense habits that will help the long-term
prognosis for us and for our daughters and granddaughters.
According to a number of research efforts at major
universities and research centers, there's ample evidence
to suggest that our immune systems are being weakened from
exposure to toxins and chemical poisons. Everyday exposure
to chemical poisons in our household and personal care
products can keep the body from warding off or mitigating
breast cancers and other diseases.
So what are everyday exposures that I might have?
We know that much of the current surge of interest in
natural and organic products is coming from women - fully
60-80% depending upon which research study you are focusing
on. These are women who want to improve the overall
wellness of their families and themselves. Just that fact,
alone, is cause for celebration. But every consumer also
needs to realize what 'natural and organic' may be covering
up in their everyday products!
Not everything that carries a byline of 'natural and
organic' is free from toxic or harmful ingredients.
Becoming educated about toxic ingredients, like the ones in
the following list, is critical to your efforts to buy
products that 'Do No Harm'.
Avoid these Red Flag ingredients in your products:
· Alcohol, Isopropyl (SD-40)
· DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), &
TEA (Triethanolamine)
· Dioxin (not listed as an ingredient - a by-product
from manufacturing)
· DMDM Hydantoin & Urea (Imidazolidinyl)
· FD&C Color Pigments
· Fragrances
· Parabens (common xeno-estrogen preservative)
· PEG (Polyethylene glycol)
· Phthalates (emulsifier, extender, softener -
commonly used in baby products/bottles/etc.)
· Propylene Glycol (PG) and Butylene Glycol
· Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth
Sulfate (SLES)
· Triclosan (anti-bacterial thought to create
super-bugs; non-recyclable contaminant in water)
· Sunscreen ingredients like benzophenone,
avebenzone, cinemates, PABA
Begin by reading the ingredient label on every product.
Perhaps most disturbing is the fact that many of these
toxic ingredients are hormone disruptors, wetting agents
that assure the products act faster/penetrate better, and
preservatives known to affect health. Making a choice to
purchase products that contain NO xeno-estrogens or other
toxins is a bold step in the right direction!
I really believe that we could all begin this effort by
simply checking out the back labels in our bathrooms.
While it's pretty scary to think about, experts tell us
that most of us come in contact with over 200 toxic
chemicals before we get dressed in the morning. That means
we are bathing ourselves in toxins!
Whether it's the shampoo and conditioner, the body wash,
our toothpaste, deodorant, hair styling products, or the
makeup on our face, it all adds to the chemical load on our
bodies. I encourage you to replace just one or two products
a week with products certified ToxicFree® - your
assurance the product contains no hormone disruptors,
carcinogens or other known toxic ingredients. Each step
will create a safer, cleaner, healthier home for you and
for your family.
Every woman really needs to take exercise seriously as
well. Just 30 minutes of exercise per week has been shown
to return major benefits. A recent study revealed that
30-150 minutes of exercise per week greatly reduced the
risk of developing breast cancer.
According to the lead researcher, breast cancer rates were
50% lower in the group of women who exercised - and up to
70% lower among African-Americans who exercised. The best
news was that the risk for various types of breast cancer
was reduced - even the most aggressive types.
Teaching our families how to prevent illness begins with a
healthy role model. READ labels, exercise, buy healthy
products, do regular self-examination - and teach your
daughters the same wellness habits!
----------------------------------------------------
Linda Chaé is President & Chief Formulator for
Chaé Organics, Inc. and a pioneer in 'go natural'
skin care for consumers. Her commitment to clean, safe
toxic free products requires organic ingredients backed by
scientific research. As a consumer advocate, protecting
human beings from dangers in skin care products became
personal when she became a cancer survivor herself. To
order her products, visit http://www.chaeorganics.biz
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