While all the major media outlets reported today on a very interesting finding about breast cancer survival rates among women who took hormone replacement therapy (HRT), what was not reported by the media was a troubling finding that also came out the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium this past weekend.

In order to understand the significance of the findings a bit of background information is needed. Firstly, estrogen is better absorbed when it is applied topically than when taken orally. Oral medication is broken down by the liver but this process is bypassed with topical applications – hence more can be absorbed through the skin.

Secondly, women who develop estrogen-dependent breast cancers are put on anti-estrogen medications called aromatase inhibitors of which the most common is Tamoxifen. This medication has proven very effective in increasing survival rates among women with this type of breast cancer.

So it was disturbing to find out that topical facial creams and moisturizers can contain estrogen despite the fact that this ingredient is not listed on the label.

Researchers purchased 16 different moisturizers from department stores and analyzed them for estrogen components. Of the 16 moisturizers, 6 were found to contain varying amounts of estrogen. This raises 3 important questions:

• What risk do women who have estrogen-fed breast cancer have when they unknowingly use creams that contain estrogen?
• For these breast cancer patients, to what extent does the estrogen negate the benefits of drugs like Tamoxifen which are used to suppress estrogen?
• To what extent does the constant exposure to estrogen increase any woman’s chance of getting breast cancer?

Cosmetic firms use estrogen in creams and moisturizers because it is felt to enhance the youthful look of skin. What is troubling is that the FDA cosmetics division is not testing for this nor does this labeling appear to be required. 

Given all that we know about the effects of estrogen on breast cancer, it is deeply troubling that women continue to be unwittingly exposed to potentially harmful amounts of estrogen.

Spread the word: if you know someone who has estrogen-dependent breast cancer, inform them about this practice by the cosmetic industry. It is clear that labeling changes need to be made.

For more information, you can view the poster presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium entitled, “Breast Cancer Patients Unknowingly Dosing Themselves With Estrogen By Using Topical Moisturizers“.