Do we need to avoid hair-color, shampoo and soap etc

[alpha-b]

I was reading a book about the cancer in which the author has said that we should get rid of all the chemical from the house like dish washing bars, soaps, shampoo, lotion we use for our skin and other things like this etc. He said that we should not be using these things on our skins as they can penetrate inside and are harmful. Not even the hair colors. I wanted to know the opinion of the house on this matter.

[Oleboyredw-uk]

This is my personal opinion, does not reflect anything else or anyone else’s view.

Everything we touch, eat, and use is made up of chemicals. I’d be looking for scientific proof before following such advice.

I’ve found my (already) sensitive skin has become more sensitive over the last years, so by avoiding highly perfumed soaps and shower gels I’ve sorted the problem.

During my taking of Ibrutinib and Venetockax I’ve had a few patches of dry skin on my hands, which I’ve sorted with a good hand cream. What would your author recommend for that?

All things in moderation, best, rob

**Added footnote: Actually, I have stopped using shower Gels totally. They come in plastic bottles and I feel somewhat smug dropping them to help the planet as a byproduct(albeit a tiny gesture)!

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

You may have heard recently from media reports from an international body - The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) iarc.fr/ about their changed assessment regarding the risks of developing cancer from meat and coffee consumption among other substances. This body investigates, assesses and reports on the degree of risk of potential carcinogens and you can read all about it here if you fancy some bed-time reading: publications.iarc.fr/Non-Se...

The American Cancer Society explains how this group and another US based group determine what is safe and what is best avoided to reduce the risk of developing cancer: cancer.org/cancer/cancer-ca...

You'll notice the list does include some dyes used in hair colouring and indeed, it is thought that regular exposure in some professions (hairdressing) might put them at a higher risk of developing CLL. There's another substance commonly found in the products you list - Sodium Laureth/Lauryl Suphate, which is claimed by some (like the author of the book you are reading) to be carcinogenic, but it has been declared safe for human use: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodiu...

Neil

[JR1964 in reply to AussieNeil]

Neil, really. I love my morning coffee. Guess there goes another thing out the door. As for meat, I was sticking to alot of fruits and vegetables but here of late been eating more meat. I guess I will go Vegan and drink just purified water. With gluten free cardboard- tripled rinse- for dessert!!!😲😲😲😲

[KL2018 in reply to JR1964]

Oh, dear. Was coffee on the list? Seriously I have no vices left.

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to KL2018]

JR and KL, sorry if I alarmed you unnecessarily. The IARC actually reduced their concerns about coffee being a risk, but confirmed that processed meat did have an associated risk. I've edited my reply accordingly. Enjoy your coffees

[KL2018 in reply to AussieNeil]

:- D.

[ladyprescott in reply to AussieNeil]

I had read some time ago that coffee was okay to drink. It was thought at one time that it could be bad for you. I, too love my morning coffee and would hate to give it up. One think I did give up before I ever knew I had CLL was processed meats. Nitrates and Nitrites are preservatives. I am a label reader. I buy a lot of organic foods also. If there are ingredients on a box, let's say, of cereal that goes on and on, I put it back on the shelf. No need to put these chemicals in my body. Hair coloring I never thought of. I believe there are coloring agents for hair that are non-carcinogenic.

[Ladydi49]

I am going on 11+ years on watch and wait and my first hematologist in Massachusetts where I was living at the time said it was ok to color my hair. I haven't as yet discussed it with my current hematologist here in FL.

Best Regards,

Dianne

[albie58 in reply to Ladydi49]

Mine has said the same thing and I am also going on 11 years W&W.

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero]

Black hair dye in the 1980s is a known increased risk of CLL as well as tne occupation of hairdressing... there is no new studies on todays chemical hair dyes...

Since most here have CLL it might not be too important... 💇🏻‍♀️💇🏻‍♀️💇🏻‍♀️

~chris

[Ellieoak]

I changed this initially after being diagnosed (2002). Then my doctor said it didn’t matter. So I went back to coloring my hair, I do use a good shampoo and conditioner. And in the shower I use Neutrogena shower gel.

I am on Imbruvica for 5 yrs. now.

[shoshanaz in reply to Ellieoak]

Neutrogena liquid face soap is literally the only one I can use on my face. Hoping you keep doing well with the Imbruvica.

[BeckyLUSA]

Have been coloring my dark brown hair since age 35 when I saw the first grey hair....if it caused the CLL-so be it. Nothing I can do about it now. Not coloring it now is not going to make the CLL go away. Coloring it makes me look so much better, as I am not one of those lucky people with pretty grey hair. I need something to make me look better on those days I feel like death warmed over. I am one of those everything in moderation people; but to each his own. I know “The Honest Company”here in the US advertises a lot of chemical free products for the home. Have not investigated them, but their commercials look “ honest” (pun intended).

[Marie-54]

This sounds a whole lot like the other quackery out there that disguises itself as pseudo-science. There is no real evidence that you need to stop using your everyday - over the counter products. We are not that fragile. continue on as normal with the motto - everything in moderation.

[scarletnoir]

Don't use hair colour (I'm a man, but I guess some men do!), but I'll be damned if I stop using soap to wash just because some loony out there says so.