Cancer Prevention

The chemical triclosan has been linked to cancer-cell growth and disrupted development in animals. Regulators are reviewing whether it’s safe to put in soap, cutting boards and toys. Consumer companies are phasing it out. Minnesota voted in May to ban it in many products.

At the same time, millions of Americans are putting it in their mouths every day, by way of a top-selling toothpaste that uses the antibacterial chemical to head off gum disease -- Colgate-Palmolive Co.’s Total.

Have you been unknowingly increasing your cancer risk for the sake of beauty? It depends on what products you use.

“There are concerns with beauty products that contain endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). These chemicals may interfere with your hormonal system,” says Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D., MD Anderson professor and director of the Integrative Medicine Program. 

“While a direct link between EDCs and cancer is not yet definitive, certain cancers are hormonally-driven,” Cohen explains. They include breast, prostate, ovarian and endometrial cancers.

The manufacturers of sugary cereals marketed to children sure know how American parents think. Although many of their products have as much sugar as a candy bar, somewhere along the line these companies figured out that labels that scream “fortified with vitamins” make Mom and Dad feel better about pouring a bowl of sweetened grain for Junior. Being jam-packed with nutrients must compensate for all that sugar, right?

You can’t reach for a fork these days without hearing about one toxic food trouble or another. To take a significant bite out of the potential dangers on our dinner plates and avoid toxins in food, try reading labels, understanding food sources, and keeping the kitchen clear of the following unsavory ingredients. This is especially important for kids’ plates; pound for pound they take in more than adults do.

Here are some toxins to avoid:

1. Pesticides