Breast Cancer, Cosmetics, and the California Safe Cosmetics Act of 2005

"Defenders of the opium trade continued to argue that Britain only sold opium because the Chinese demanded it, and claimed that if they withdrew, then someone else would take over." (Carl A. Trocki, Opium, Empire and the Global Political Economy: A Study of the Asian Opium Trade, Routledge, 1999, p 135)

RATIONALIZING THE SALE OF DANGEROUS DRUGS

Of course, opium is just a drug. Here, we studied the production and sales aspects of the opium business.

"In India, where Parsi, Armenian, Jewish and Muslim firms had always played an important role in the opium trade, the competitive advantage of being white disappeared". (Carl A. Trocki, Opium, Empire and the Global Political Economy: A Study of the Asian Opium Trade, Routledge, 1999, p 109)

Opium is a drug with no benefit other than "good feelings", and significant health hazards. Just like the drug nicotine.

And if you ask the sales people, why are you selling these dangerous products, they'll explain: because smokers want to buy these cigarettes, and if I don't sell them at my supermarket, they'll just take their business down the street.

Times change; the excuses don't. Money; not morals.

"It should be noted that many firms engaged in the business of importing Indian opium to China and did not wish to see the trade end". (Kathleen L. Lodwick, Crusaders against Opium: Protestant Missionaries in China, 1874-1917, Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1996, p 168)

Let's say a person wants a good feeling, without having done the hard work to get it the natural way. Nothing easier than the drug way.

Hard day at work? Stretch out in front of the television, and let that drug do its work.

Drug? Television?

Very addictive, as shown at the link. No benefits. Other than that feeling of being entertained.

"When Ahmet was overthrown for corruption in 1829, the Sassoons fled to Bombay, India, the strategic trade route to India and gateway to the Far East. Soon the British government granted Sassoon "monopoly rights" to the manufacture of cotton goods, silk and most importantly, Opium - at that time the most addictive drug in the world!" (Khondakar Golam Mowla, The Judgment Against Imperialism, Fascism and Racism Against Caliphate and Islam: Volume 1, AuthorHouse, 2008, p 664)

But for the addict, he's back again the next day for his next fix.

Or let's say the health is down, but instead of eating healthy foods, resting well, and spending time outdoors each day, a woman wants healthy-LOOKING skin the easy way. No easier method than to paint up with some cosmetics.

And the benefits? Just a good feeling. For a while.

But, as with any of these other dangerous drugs, cosmetics has a downside. Cancer.

MANY COSMETIC PRODUCTS CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women today (after lung cancer) and is the most common cancer among women, excluding nonmelanoma skin cancers. According to the American Cancer Society, about 1.3 million women will be diagnosed with breast cancer annually worldwide. About 465,000 will die from the disease. (Breast Cancer: Statistics on Incidence, Survival, and Screening, Imaginis.com)

"In the year 1836 the trade increased to over 30,000 chests and drug addiction became endemic in coastal cities." (Khondakar Golam Mowla, The Judgment Against Imperialism, Fascism and Racism Against Caliphate and Islam: Volume 1, AuthorHouse, 2008, p 664)

"Breast cancer is the 7th leading cause of mortality in the United States and results in approximately 41,000 deaths each year." (Suzanne Price, American Society for Nutrition, Unhealthful Relation Between Animal Foods And Breast Cancer Not Supported By Studies, Medical News Today, 17 Aug 2009)

This often fatal disease generally strikes women.

Some of them think medical science holds the answer. Like the members of the Lake Harriet Happy Hoofers for Healthy Hooters. Melanie McCall is one of the members of this elite strike force. They're planning a fund-raising walk. "Every walker has to raise $2,300 for research to be able to participate. The Lake Harriet team has passed $40,000."(Liz Collin, Mothers Band Together For Breast Cancer 3-Day, WCCO, 17 Aug 2009) And how do these women approach their work? Pictures speak volumes. They tie on their healthy walking shoes, strap on their bras (as pictured), and top it all off with a pink t-shirt.

And what will all this expensive research bring? ""We're out walking so that other girls, other moms, other sisters, other friends won't have to go on a breast cancer walk 10 or 15 years from now." McCall said." (Collin, supra)

AN EXPENSIVE UNDERTAKING

"Whenever you hear the term, "medical research", you must realize that whatever the alleged research is, it is very expensive. Glassware, chemicals, the salaries of technicians and physicians, laboratories and parking lots, all cost a lot of money." (Dr. Wu Tao-Wei, The Fraud of Genetic Research) The research people will burn through that $40 000 pretty quickly.

IS MORE RESEARCH REALLY SO NECESSARY?

So many forms of cancer are related to something known as lifestyle. (Price, supra)

Ah, maybe the cause is already known? As we discovered here, bra use is a significant cause of breast cancer. So women could burn their bras, and avoid cancer? Its that simple?

BUT THE CANCER BUSINESS IS A PROFITABLE BUSINESS

But where would the profits go. Those sweatshop owners can produce a bra for 50 cents, or maybe sew on a cute pink ribbon for another 10 cents. Sell the same thing for $20 later, and there's plenty of profit. Plus, of course, all those cancer "therapies".

But there's more to this game than bras. The girls of the Happy Hoofers are also painted up with cosmetics.

CARCINOGENIC INGREDIENTS

“There is no question that people are being damaged by their cosmetics. So many things are put into cosmetics now that are carcinogenic, and it is allowed because cosmetics are not considered to be as serious as drugs or food. One of the most extreme cases I have seen was a woman whose bone marrow was affected by chemicals used in hair dye. The situation as it is is plainly dangerous - unacceptably so.” (Dr. Jean Munro, medical director of the Breakspear Hospital in Hertfordshire cited in Tim Utton, Daily Mail, April 8, 2002, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/thehealthnews.html?in_article_id=108549&in_page_id=1797)

WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON

[15] He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
[16] But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets [all those shopoholics], and calling unto their fellows,
[17] And saying, We have piped unto you [advertising], and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. ...
[19] ... But wisdom is justified of her children. (Jesus, cited in Matthew 11, Holy Bible)

There's plenty of information out there. "there is considerable evidence that breast cancer risk is related to modifiable lifestyle factors". (Price, supra) Dr. Munro speaks as an expert. And we've cited plenty of other experts.

And "this generation"? They've gotten their health information. But like to spend their time "sitting in the markets" -- you know, those stores where they can buy their cosmetics, bras, cigarettes, sun tanning lotions, etc.

They're getting bored, but they're also getting worried. Sure there's entertainment out there, on their large televisions where they can get huge advertisements for their favorite consumer products. But somehow they know something is wrong.

And so they go on their fund-raising walks, and then off to the shops for a little more blush.

And these products really contains hazardous ingredients? The State of California says so: "The primary purpose of the California Safe Cosmetics Program is to collect information on hazardous and potentially hazardous ingredients in cosmetic products sold in California and to make it available to the public." (California Safe Cosmetics Program, Occupational Health Branch, State of California) Just like those cigarette warning labels.

"The Jewish Encyclopedia of 1905, states that Sassoon expanded his opium trade into China and Japan. He placed his eight sons in charge of the major opium exchanges in China. According to the 1944 Jewish Encyclopedia: "He employed only Jews in his business, and wherever he sent them he built synagogues and schools for them. He imported whole families of fellow Jews ... and put them to work."" (Khondakar Golam Mowla, The Judgment Against Imperialism, Fascism and Racism Against Caliphate and Islam: Volume 1, AuthorHouse, 2008, p 664)

But wisdom is justified of her children

But, of course, there will always be some wise people out there. People like
California State Senator Carole Migden.

She knows about the dangers of cosmetics, and thought it was wrong that the dangerous ingredients were not disclosed. “It is beyond belief that a consumer is not told whether he or she is putting carcinogens on their skin, in their hair or on their face”. (Mary Ann Swissler, Is silence golden? California grassroots activists get a big win, but where was the American Cancer Society?, Sacramento News and Review, March 11, 2005, http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/Content?oid=44446)

SHINING THE LIGHT ONTO SOME VERY DARK MATTERS

She worked to get a law passed in California called the California Safe Cosmetics Act of 2005. The cosmetics companies are required to tell consumers about cancer-causing chemicals used in cosmetics. (id.)

"In a landmark advance in the safety of cosmetics products, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed SB 484, the California Safe Cosmetics Act of 2005. The decision caps a two year campaign by Breast Cancer Action, the Breast Cancer Fund, and the National Environmental Trust to bring additional scrutiny to an industry accustomed to only minimal oversight." (Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Governor Signs Safe Cosmetics Bill, 8 Oct 2005)

DECEPTION, TRICKERY, AND CANCER -- BUT HUGE PROFITS

And how did the industry feel about disclosing what poisons they use?

The act "survived a fierce lobbying effort. Industry lobbyists outnumbered, outspent, but this time couldn’t out-argue the pro-SB484 coalition." (Swissler, supra)

"Members of the Sassoon family were most vocal in protesting to British officials every attempt by the Chinese to stop the trade." (Kathleen L. Lodwick, Crusaders against Opium: Protestant Missionaries in China, 1874-1917, Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1996, p 168)

"The chemical and cosmetic industries both vigorously opposed the bill, mounting a major campaign to convince salon owners and workers that they would be shut down if the new law passed. The cosmetics industry spent heavily to defeat SB 484. Proctor and Gamble paid Sacramento lobbyists more than $90,000 in the first six months of 2005, and the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrance Association (CTFA) spent more than $600,000 in the 2003-04 legislative session and the first quarter of 2005 to oppose SB 484 and other environmental health legislation in California." (Campaign, supra)

"Quite often they were disappointed by the lack of vigor on the part of the consular officials to whom they complained, and they frequently resorted to appeals to more senior officials in London." (Kathleen L. Lodwick, Crusaders against Opium: Protestant Missionaries in China, 1874-1917, Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1996, p 168)

They didn't come out and say, No, our products don't use poisonous chemicals. They just don't want to have to inform consumers when they do!

Barbara Brenner was the executive director of Breast Cancer Action in San Francisco. She was pushing for the Cosmetics Act. (Swissler, supra)

BARBARA BRENNER HAS ALREADY DONE "THE RESEARCH"

"“The passage of this bill is a huge step forward for people who care about why so many people have cancer and other health problems,” said Brenner. “We overcame enormous opposition from a very well-funded cosmetics industry, and we have them on the run.”" (Swissler, supra)

Brenner knows a lot about breast cancer. Usually women get the disease. Cosmetics contain cancer-causing chemicals. The companies don't want customers to know which ones.

And then after a woman gets cancer, she can lose her hair in treatment, and shrivel up as she dies. But at least these women can stay painted up to the end!

"SB484’s chief opponent, the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrances Association (CTFA) gives $10 million annually to ACS’s “Look Good, Feel Better” makeup program for cancer patients. Conducted worldwide, it provides makeup, wigs and individual styling sessions for recovering cancer patients, according to their Web site. They also reach out to teens; male cancer patients; Spanish-speaking patients; and use 25,000 hairstylists, wig experts, estheticians, makeup artists and nail technicians who volunteer their services." (Swissler, supra)

Consider a woman who gets cancer from cosmetics. She pays a lot of money to get the disease. And then the industry gives her more cosmetics. Keep that pale, sick face painted up to date!

What? Hair gone? No problem, girl, here's a wig!

CAUSED BY DOING THINGS THE ADVERTISEMENTS TELL YOU ARE GOOD

The tobacco business, the bra business, and, of course, cosmetics, have a lot in common. Check the links, and you'll see that while, out there in the wild world of journalism and medicine, there's much talk of "medical research" to "find the cause of cancer", these matters are simpler than the cancer industry would like for you to believe.

"This was harvest time for David Sassoon & Sons. The Yangtze mud glinted with gold as soon as they laid a brick in it." "Their wharves and godowns were bursting with opium". (Carl A. Trocki, Opium, Empire and the Global Political Economy: A Study of the Asian Opium Trade, Routledge, 1999, p 115)

BUT ARE REALLY BAD

As the Medical News puts it: "Although genetic factors are important, there is considerable evidence that breast cancer risk is related to modifiable lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, body weight, alcohol intake, and dietary choices." (Price, supra)

MERCHANTS OF DEATH

"The Jewish Encyclopedia of 1905, states that Sassoon expanded his opium trade into China and Japan. He placed his eight sons in charge of the major opium exchanges in China." (Khondakar Golam Mowla, The Judgment Against Imperialism, Fascism and Racism Against Caliphate and Islam: Volume 1, AuthorHouse, 2008, p 664)

BUT AT LEAST THE DRUG BUSINESS IS PROFITABLE

Physical activity? How much time does a person spend with a television addiction? Body weight? Junk food and refined sugars, plus that television time. Alcohol? Drugs again.

What we're seeing here is that drug addiction -- whether alcohol, television, or junk foods -- has been identified as a major cause of these 465 000 deaths per year.

Yes, these industries only sell their drugs because people want them (they say). People like the Happy Hoofers.

These girls know about the statistics on breast cancer. And so they paint up, slip on those pink shirts, and hit the streets to raise money for research.

But "wisdom is justified of her children" (as per Jesus, supra). There are some women out there who know what's going on, and thanks to the sterling work of Carole Migden, Barbara Brenner, and so many others, more will know.

And maybe, just maybe, one day the market for these dangerous products will dry up. Because people are informed, and no longer buy them.