Hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers can grow when they're exposed to estrogen. So women who've been diagnosed with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer are told to avoid products that contain estrogen such as hormone replacement therapy and birth control pills.
The study reviewed here found that certain skin lotions contained forms of estrogen, even though these ingredients weren't listed on the label. These results were reported at the 2008 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
The researcher who did the study had been diagnosed with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer and was using a lotion to ease dry skin problems she had after chemotherapy to treat the disease. The lotion worked so well, she suspected that it must have some form of estrogen in it. So she sent samples of 16 skin lotions to a lab for testing. Six of the lotions were found to have some small levels of estrogen in them.
It's not clear whether estrogen absorbed through the skin can influence hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. But as pain and nicotine patches show, medicines can be absorbed through the skin.
The names of the lotions that were tested in this study aren't available. If you've been diagnosed with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer and want to make sure your exposure to estrogen is as low as it can be, you may want to use only baby oil or olive oil to moisturize your skin.
Stay tuned to Breastcancer.org for the latest news on breast cancer research.
SAN ANTONIO, Dec. 17 (MedPage Today) -- Breast cancer patients may unknowingly expose themselves to estrogen by using certain skin moisturizers, a breast cancer survivor reported here.
Laboratory analyses identified a half-dozen different products containing measurable levels of estriol and estrone, Adrienne C. Olson, Pharm.D., of Breastlink in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., told attendees at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
None of the products listed the estrogenic hormones among its ingredients.
"No one could tell from reading the ingredients that the products contained estrogenic hormones," she said.
Dr. Olson became interested in the estrogen-moisturizer association during her own treatment for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Chemotherapy-induced menopause caused her skin to become dry and wrinkled.
So she began using a moisturizer that restored her skin's natural appearance.
In fact, the moisturizer worked so well that she suspected the product might contain estrogen, which helps maintain skin integrity and promote a "youthful appearance."
Following up on her suspicions, Dr. Olson collected containers of 16 nonprescription skin moisturizers, spanning a wide cost range.
She sent the samples to a research laboratory, which tested the products for the presence of estradiol, estrone, and estriol.
Analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography (NPLC) revealed estrone at a concentration of 0.05% in one of the products and estriol in five others at concentrations ranging from 0.17% to 0.61%.
Some of the other products might contain lower levels of the hormones that were not detected by HPLC, she added. Moreover, the product analysis did not include testing for customized or designer estrogens.
Whether this transdermal exposure to estrogenic hormones can influence the behavior of ER-positive breast tumors is unclear.
"Until the late 1970s, the intact epidermis was thought to be impermeable to medications in creams and ointments," said Dr. Olson. "We now know that the skin is much more porous than we previously believed."
Enforcement of FDA regulations pertaining to cosmetics is based on the outdated concept of the skin as an impermeable barrier, she added.
"We're just concerned," said Dr. Olson. "We want women to be informed. I personally use baby oil on my skin and nothing else."
Dr. Olson reported no potential conflicts of interest.
Primary source: San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Source reference: Olson AC, et al "Breast cancer patients unknowingly dosing themselves with estrogen by using topical moisturizers" SABCS 2008 Abstracts. 282s. Abstract 4087.
Breastcancer.org 7 East Lancaster Avenue, 3rd Floor Ardmore, PA 19003
Learn more about our commitment to your privacy
© 2009 Breastcancer.org - All rights reserved.
Breastcancer.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing information and community to those touched by this disease. Learn more about our commitment to providing complete, accurate, and private breast cancer information.
