House of Cancer

Do you use Crest Tartar Control Toothpaste or Lysol Spray in your house? Did you know that these two products contain known carcinogens? A carcinogen is a substance or agent that causes cancer. Many consumers, including myself, are playing a serious game of "Russian Roulette" everyday by using common name-brand house cleaners, cosmetics, personal care items and even baby products.

Recent studies are coming to the public eye that helps consumers know what name-brand companies have already known for years, that common everyday products are actually causing cancer. It is known that one out of every two men and one in every three women will be diagnosed with cancer each year. Some companies that have brought out information that can save lives before cancer strikes are www.ewg.org, www.preventcancer.com and www.leas.ca. All three websites go over the common name-brand products that just about every American and European use in the household each day that causes cancer. To assist those confused with what products to use instead of the carcinogen filled products, substitute products have been suggested.

So how do these cancer causing toxins get on market shelves and into our house? Well, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) companies are not required to go through pre-market safety testing, review, or approval for cosmetics. Therefore many products will sit on store shelves before they are ever tested for carcinogens and other harmful toxins. Even the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not require testing before going to store shelves. www.preventcancer.com states that "The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health found that 884 of the chemicals available for use in cosmetics have been reported to the government as toxic substances." These toxic substances have been known to cause genetic damage, biological mutations, and cancer which stay unknown to consumers and away from product labels.

What can we do about this major life-changing issue? Well, have you ever had an allergic reaction to a new perfume or store purchased product? The FDA estimates that only three percent of the 4,000 to 5,000 cosmetic distributors have filed medical reports with the government on injuries to consumers. In addition, most consumers that use products a receive allergies; irritation, and photosensitization caused by the new purchased product never notify the company or a doctor. Therefore, future testing is not required to be completed on the defective product. If more consumers would report these issues, more testing would be required. Secondly, try looking at the ingredients and pick the product that has the fewest ingredients on the label. The more ingredients increases the chances that the product is cancer causing. Thirdly, try keeping the products securely closed and do not share them with other people. Too much exposure to the air will increase the amount of bacteria contamination. For instance makeup should not be applied with the fingers or shared with other people.

Now is the time to start taking control of what products are used in the household. Common household products are usually not being tested by any government agency, even those that have the potential to cause cancer causing carcinogens. It is up to us as consumers to be aware of products that are causing these issues and take action against them. The more consumers that speak out, the better the chance we can get more testing completed and decrease cancer in patients. Visit the websites posted on this article and see what household products could induce cancer in your household and find out more information on how to help out with the issue.