Can cosmetics cause cancer? Who cares?

A recent broadcast news report examined the question “Are you being poisoned by your cosmetics?” However, judging by the  comments left by readers, all the reporter did was convince her readers that this is yet another overinflated concern, although it seems she was trying to accomplish the opposite.

Overall, the report is very superficial and lacks the depth readers need to sort through the complex issue. Writer Vicki Buffolino interviewed two people with opposing views and reported what they said without further elaboration.

First, Ms. Buffolino presents comments about the safety of cosmetics from a co-director of a local grassroots group. Interesting topics from that conversation were not pursued. For example, she reported that the Food and Drug Administration does not require safety testing of cosmetics. Is that really true? Well, yes and no. Reporters could spend one or more articles addressing the nuances of that topic alone.

Second, some of the ingredients of concern, including parabens (not “parabins” as it is spelled in the report) and phthalates, were named. However, no details were mentioned about their health effects – except their possible link to cancer. Nothing was said about their role as hormone disruptors and their possible reproductive and developmental effects.

Finally, in what amounts to the death knell for the report, an oncologist discussed the cancer risk posed by cosmetics. The reporter probably assumed that a physician who diagnoses and treats cancer ought to know a lot about chemicals that are potential carcinogens.

However, the evaluation of chemicals for their ability to cause cancer is a sub-discipline of toxicology, while a clinical oncologist’s training does not typically address this subject.

Dr. Chadha’s comments about the role of animal research in testing for carcinogens reflect his lack of expertise in this area. Nor did a search of the medical literature uncover any of his publications, suggesting that he does not have a background that would allow him to adequately address the questions posed to him. As a result, the reporter’s concerns were discounted and instead, advice about “leading active lives, wearing sunscreen, and getting regular medical screenings” was dispensed by the doctor.

In the words of one of the readers of this story who left a comment: "Seems to me that if someone was going to write a story like this that they would have a little more specifics."

This topic has great potential for being news-worthy, but in this case, that potential remains unrealized.