Breast Cancer Prevention Month Quick Tips

You may know October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP) calls it Breast Cancer Prevention Month! For over 20 years, October has signified the month to promote awareness of breast cancer and shop in support of finding a cure. Yet, 1 in 8 women in the US will still be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. That's why we continue to shift the conversation from awareness to prevention.

We work hard to stop breast cancer before it starts by protecting our bodies and environment from toxic chemicals linked to the disease. Some of the most frequently asked questions that we hear are “what are some prevention tips?” and “what are some clean, safe products I can use?” Well, have no fear, BCPP is here with top tips and a partner guide filled with trustworthy, healthy products for purchase this October!

Tips for you:

1. Read ingredient labels

It is perfectly legal to use ingredients linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, and reproductive harm in personal care products, cosmetics, cleaning products and food packaging. Check our Glossary of Exposures to learn more.

2. Avoid 'fragrance' on ingredient labels

Fragrance (or parfum) is a cocktail of ingredients that can include dozens of potentially harmful chemicals. As often as possible, avoid purchasing and using personal care products, cleaning products, clothing, and home goods that list 'fragrance' as an ingredient.

3. Wash your hands

Washing your hands kills germs and reduces exposures to unsafe chemicals. Many chemicals from everyday products end up in household (or workplace) dust. Washing dust off your hands reduces exposure to toxic chemicals, like flame retardants. Avoid antimicrobial soaps because they often contain hormone-disrupting chemicals.

4. Go fresh, organic, and hormone-free

Choose fresh, organic, and hormone-free foods in order to avoid exposure to pesticides, added hormones, and other possible toxic chemicals in packaged foods. Buying products grown organically reduces pesticide use, which is good for families, farm workers, and the environment, and eating fresh (or frozen) foods helps you to avoid chemicals like BPA in food can linings.

5. Don’t be brainwashed, greenwashed or pinkwashed

Companies use savvy marketing to sell products, so don’t let false claims trick you into buying products with harmful ingredients. Watch out for products designed to look like they are good for the environment or natural. This is called green washing — words like “natural” and “safe” have little, if any, meaning without ingredient labels to back them up. Be wary of products boasting a pink ribbon, too. Many pinkwashed products contain chemicals linked to cancer, and often do little to prevent or reduce breast cancer.

For more tips that cover personal care products, cleaning products, food packaging, workplaces, and more, click here.

Do it for a loved one. Do it for your family. Do it for you. We thank you for your support.