Women with higher exposure to additives used in some personal care and food products may have an increased risk of breast cancer.

Researchers conducting a study of phthalate exposure and breast cancer among Mexican women reported that metabolites of one type of phthalate are associated with at least twice the risk of breast cancer.

Exposure to phthalates has been associated with a number of adverse health outcomes in humans, and particularly in men.  Few studies have however investigated the health effects of these widely used chemicals in women. This is the first human study to evaluate associations between exposure to phthalates and breast cancer.

http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.0901091