Toxic chemicals don’t belong in pads and tampons. Period
Women’s Voices Earth work to eliminate toxic chemicals that harm women’s health by changing consumer behaviors, corporate practices & government policies.
Women’s Voices for the Earth November 2013 Chem Fatale report found toxic chemicals commonly used in feminine care products like pads and tampons. ” Unfortunately, because pads and tampons are regulated as “medical devices” and not “personal care products,” companies aren’t required by law to disclose any of the ingredients used in these products. We know that Procter & Gamble, makers of Tampax and Always, uses some toxic fragrance chemicals – and we have a right to know what else they’re using in pads and tampons. ”
Developmental exposure to DES alters uterine gene expression that may be associated with uterine neoplasia later in life
Abstract:
Significant Alterations in Uterine Gene Expression following NeoNatal DiEthylStilbestrol Treatment
Previously, we described a mouse model where the well-known reproductive carcinogen with estrogenic activity, diethylstilbestrol (DES), caused uterine adenocarcinoma following neonatal treatment. Tumor incidence was dose-dependent reaching >90% by 18 mo following neonatal treatment with 1000 μg/kg/d of DES. These tumors followed the initiation/promotion model of hormonal carcinogenesis with developmental exposure as initiator, and exposure to ovarian hormones at puberty as the promoter. To identify molecular pathways involved in DES-initiation events, uterine gene expression profiles were examined in prepubertal mice exposed to DES (1, 10, or 1000 μg/kg/d) on days 1–5 and compared to controls. Of more than 20 000 transcripts, approximately 3% were differentially expressed in at least one DES treatment group compared to controls; some transcripts demonstrated dose–responsiveness. Assessment of gene ontology annotation revealed alterations in genes associated with cell growth, differentiation, and adhesion. When expression profiles were compared to published studies of uteri from 5-d-old DES-treated mice, or adult mice treated with 17β estradiol, similarities were seen suggesting persistent differential expression of estrogen responsive genes following developmental diethylstilbestrol exposure. Moreover, several altered genes were identified in human uterine adenocarcinomas. Four altered genes [lactotransferrin (Ltf), transforming growth factor beta inducible (Tgfb1), cyclin D1 (Ccnd1), and secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (Sfrp4)], selected for real-time RT-PCR analysis, correlated well with the directionality of the microarray data. These data suggested altered gene expression profiles observed 2 wk after treatment ceased, were established at the time of developmental exposure and maybe related to the initiation events resulting in carcinogenesis.
Sources:
NCBI, Dr Retha Newbold, PMCID: PMC2254327 25 Feb 2008 – Developmental exposure to diethylstilbestrol alters uterine gene expression that may be associated with uterine neoplasia later in life.
A Canadian study that produced negative results for mammography may give renewed momentum to clinical and self-exams
Roni Caryn Rabin, Independent Health Writer at New York Times and other.
In a recent Canadian study, that produced negative results for mammography, women who did not receive regular mammograms were instead monitored with physical breast exams that proved effective. All of the participants were taught to examine their own breasts once a month, and specially trained nurses examined women who were in their 50s.
This low-tech approach, the researchers found, appeared to be as good as or better than regular mammograms at locating the serious cancers that needed treatment.
Should We Count on Companies to Protect Us From Toxic Chemicals?
Jeanne Rizzo is President and CEO of the Breast Cancer Fund.
” … Some retail and manufacturing giants are abandoning toxic chemicals in personal care and other products in favour of safer ingredients.
This market shift is a direct response to mounting scientific evidence of harm from chemical exposure and to a groundswell of consumer demand spurred by groups like the BreastCancerFund‘s Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, SaferChemicals‘ Mind the Store campaign, SafeCosmeticsaction alerts and many others.
But peek behind this story of voluntary corporate action and you’ll see a federal system that is failing to protect the public from toxic chemicals in our everyday products; a government so stymied that its work on chemicals management has been easily eclipsed by a handful of companies making a few corporate policy changes... ”
Cancer cells glow blue when viewed through the special eyewear
Special glasses help surgeons ‘see’ cancer.
High-tech glasses developed at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis may help surgeons see cancer cells. A florescent marker injected into the patient and special lighting made cancer cells glow blue when viewed with the technology. The lighter the shade of blue, the more concentrated the cancer cells are.
The glasses are designed to make it easier for surgeons to distinguish cancer cells from healthy cells, helping to ensure that no stray tumour cells are left behind during surgery, hopefully reducing or ideally eliminating the need for a second surgery.
Remettre le débat sur la mammographie de dépistage en perspective et combatre les mythes autour du cancer du sein et de sa prévention
@ChercheursdActu, l’information éclairée par la recherche.
“La mammographie ne diminue pas le taux de mortalité du cancer du sein“
Son étude a ravivé le débat autour de la mammographie de dépistage. Le professeur Anthony Miller, de la Dalla Lana School of Public Health, à l’université de Toronto, répond aux critiques sur Chercheurs d’Actu. Lire l’interview par Olivier Monod, publié le 21/02/2014.
“Les bénéfices de la mammographie ne sont pas très élevés parce que le risque de cancer du sein est faible“
Catherine Hill, épidémiologiste à l’Institut Gustave-Roussy, remet le débat sur la mammographie de dépistage en perspective et combat les mythes autour du cancer du sein et de sa prévention. Lire l’interview par Olivier Monod, publié le 21/02/2014.
