How Chemicals in Personal Care Products and Weight Affect Breast Cancer

Researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center want to understand how chemicals found in everyday personal care products — like lotions, shampoos, and cosmetics — might affect breast cancer risk, especially in African American communities. This study will ask you about your knowledge of these chemicals and collect samples to measure your exposure to them. The goal is to create a program that helps survivors and families learn about and reduce their exposure to these harmful chemicals.

African American women are disproportionately exposed to certain chemicals through personal care products marketed to people of color, and communities with fewer resources often face higher rates of aggressive breast cancer and have harder access to healthcare. This research aims to understand the connection between these chemical exposures, body weight, and breast cancer risk so that better education and prevention programs can be developed.