Chemicals: Fair Or Foul?

Breast cancer survivor shares her dance on the risk continuum of the chemicals in our lives.

BY Barbara Tako

PUBLISHED January 09, 2018

Barbara Tako is a breast cancer survivor (2010), melanoma survivor (2014) and author of Cancer Survivorship Coping Tools–We'll Get You Through This. She is a cancer coping advocate, speaker and published writer for television, radio and other venues across the country. She lives, survives, and thrives in Minnesota with her husband, children and dog. See more at www.cancersurvivorshipcopingtools.com,or www.clutterclearingchoices.com.

For a long time, I wondered if chemicals caused or contributed to my two cancer diagnoses. I didn't know. Now I have recently found out I am positive for the PALB2 genetic mutation. I remember wanting to know why I got cancer when I was first diagnosed. The genetic counselor told me that the PALB2 probably had a lot to do with getting breast cancer so young – I was in my mid 40s. Genetics, environment or possibly a combination of the two contributed to my cancers.

I had chemotherapy and radiation followed by anastrozole for five years. Now it seems a little late to be cautious about chemicals – chemicals called medications as well as chemicals in food, hair products, make-up, lotions and more. Chemicals are everywhere. I must acknowledge that chemotherapy and other drugs helped to save my life, and chemicals and surgery will get me through my prophylactic double mastectomy with reconstruction.

What is overly cautious in our modern world, and what isn't cautious enough for a two-time cancer survivor? I don't know. Do you struggle with this? How do you cope? The older I get, the more I realize everything is on a continuum. I strive for balance and for moderation.

When I can, I buy products without added dyes, scents, or preservatives. That is,when I decide that doing so doesn't “cost” too much. What does that even mean anyway? When do I pay a few extra dollars in the hope of not getting cancer (again) and when do I "cheap out" and keep hope? There is so much that we don't know for sure. Do I worry too much? Or, not enough? I try to get comfortable with my sliding scale and my dance back and forth on it.

Read More: