The Look Good ... Feel Better Program: But at What Risk?

[nosmokes]

original
INSIGHTS:

The Look Good ... Feel Better Program: But at What Risk?

By Samuel S. Epstein, MD

CHICAGO, Illinois, November 8, 2005 (ENS) - Launched in 1989 by the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association (CTFA) and the National Cosmetology Association, the Look Good ... Feel Better Program is "dedicated to teaching women cancer patients beauty techniques to help restore their appearance and self-image during cancer treatment." About 30,000 breast and other cancer patients participate yearly, each receiving a free makeover and bag of makeup. Just what could be more noble? Or so it might just seem.

The Look Good Program is supported by 22 CTFA member cosmetic companies, including multibillion dollar household name global giants. Each year, member companies "donate over one million individual cosmetic and personal care products, valued at $10 million, and raise more than $2 million."

The Program is administered nationwide by the American Cancer Society (ACS), "which manages volunteer training, and serves as the primary source of information to the public." There is no doubt that the products donated by the cosmetic companies, such as eye and cheek colors, lipsticks, moisture lotions, pressed powders and other makeups, are restorative. However, there is also no doubt that the ACS and the companies involved are oblivious to or strangely silent on the dangers of the Look Good products, whose ingredients are readily absorbed through the skin.


A review of 12 Look Good products, marketed by six companies, reveals that 10 contain dangerous chemical ingredients. Based on longstanding scientific evidence, these pose risks of cancer, and also hormonal, endocrine disruptive, effects. Evidence for the cancer risks is based on standard tests in rodents, and on human epidemiological studies. Evidence for the hormonal risks is based on test tube tests with breast cancer cells, or by stimulating premature sexual development in infant rodents. Unbelievably, the ACS explicitly warns women undergoing chemotherapy, "Don't use hormonal creams."
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complete article here.

[OzarkDem]

1. Yes its true

Its also true that American Cancer Society raises hundreds of millions of dollars and provide incredibly little to cancer patients and survivors.

ACS is an old, conservative group run mostly by physcians and professional fundraisers who regard cancer survivors as little more than fundraising props.

They've consistently refused to address the issue of environmental toxins and cancer preferring instead to use weak and questionable research to advance the idea that diet and exercise will eliminate cancer.

[nosmokes]

2. it might help if the cancer society would start to address

dirt where it counts, eh? like the pesticides and herbicides and synthetics that are poisoning our food, and who knows what GM foods might lead to?

[Gloria]

3. Last year I ditched sunscreens, makeup, shampoos/conditioners after

I started itching from sunscreen. Did loads of research and one thing led to another.

I found ONE really natural sunblock via the internet; now use Aubrey powders; concealer by Burt's Bees; and a WONDERFUL Honeysuckle Rose shampoo and conditioner by Aubrey.

For moisturizing--jojoba oil for day; jojoba oil as a carrier for sesame oil by night. Also Aubrey's Passionflower, an EXCELLENT hand and body product.