Breast cancer patients unknowingly dosing themselves with estrogen by using topical moisturizers.

CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2008 Abstracts Abstract #4087 Background: Topically applied estrogensare more efficiently absorbed into the body than estrogensadministered orally, due to the first pass effectby the liver. Estrogenreceptor positive breast cancer patients need to avoid exogenously administered estrogento minimize chance of recurrence. This is especially significant for women on aromatase inhibitortreatment,where topical estrogenmay overcome the therapeutic effect. Also, non breast cancer patients using estrogencontaining topical moisturizers may be unknowingly dosing themselves daily with estrogen, often for years, increasing their chances of developing breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Sixteen different topical moisturizers were purchased or donated from department stores or chain drugstores. None of the creams noted any estrogencontent in their list of ingredients. Each of the sixteen commercial products was analyzed for estradiol, estrioland estroneutilizing High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). HPLC is commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry to provide component analysis. Detection was carried out through use of a Variable Wavelength Detector (VWD) and a Diode Array Detector. Results: Four samples contained greater than 0.40% estriol, one contained 0.17% estriol, and one contained 0.05% estrone, despite having no listing on the ingredient list. Discussion: Topical estrogensare considered effective in enhancing the “youthful look” of aging skin. Manufacturers are marketing incompletely labeled moisturizers containing estrogens. Consumers are unaware their moisturizer may be providing them with unwanted systemic estrogenexposure. The FDA cosmetics division is not presently testing for this potential risk for breast cancer patients. Other breast cancer advocacy groups and the FDA need to promptly repeat these procedures and also check for exotic "designer" estrogens. ![][1] Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 4087. [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif