Calif. Study: Chemicals Might Alter Effectiveness of Breast Cancer Drugs
Two chemicals that often are used in consumer products -- bisphenol-A and methylparaben -- might decrease the effectiveness of breast cancer drugs, according to a study from physicians at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
According to the Chronicle, a growing body of evidence has linked both BPA and methylparaben -- which are found in plastic containers, cans and personal care products -- to hormonal problems and reproductive health issues.
Key Findings
For the study, which will be published in the journal Carcinogenesis, researchers took noncancerous breast cells from high-risk patients and found that when exposed to BPA and methylparaben, the cells behaved like cancer cells.
Exposure to the breast cancer drug tamoxifen failed to halt growth of the cells.
The researchers concluded that BPA and methylparaben mimic the hormone estrogen, which can drive cancer.
Further, they found the chemicals appear to have a stronger effect than estrogen in inhibiting the efficacy of cancer-fighting drugs.
Related Legislation
Meanwhile, a bill (AB 1319), by Assembly member Betsy Butler (D-Marina del Rey), that would ban BPA from some infant products is before Gov. Jerry Brown (D).
The bill would ban BPA in infant bottles or cups that are manufactured or sold in California.
Similar measures have failed in previous years (Colliver, San Francisco Chronicle, 9/13).
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