Rumor:
One email message now making the rounds states that tampons contain harmful ingredients. One is asbestos, the email states, "…because asbestos makes you bleed more...if you bleed more you need more." The email says another harmful ingredient is dioxin, a chemical used in bleaching the products. "Dioxin is potentially carcinogenic and is toxic to the immune and reproductive systems."

Fact:
According to Philip Tierno Jr., MD, chief of clinical microbiology and immunology at New York University Medical Center and an expert on tampon safety issues, these allegations are absurd. Dr. Tierno examined manufacturers' documents during past toxic shock litigation, and found asbestos is not used in the manufacturing of tampons.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) web site, trace amounts of dioxin found in some tampons are safe. The FDA asked the nations' four top tampon manufacturers to test their products for dioxin following Environmental Protection Agency-approved methods. Dioxin was detected at extremely low levels as a byproduct of the bleaching process in some tampons. The FDA believes it poses no risk to consumers.

Rumor:
An email making the rounds states women should demand a CA-125 test for ovarian cancer each year. One emailer, whose ovarian cancer was misdiagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, said she insisted on more tests. After having a CT scan that revealed fluid on her abdomen, the doctor ran a CA-125 blood test and her level came back at a highly elevated 754. "This is an inexpensive and simple blood test. Please tell all your female friends and relatives to insist on a CA-125 blood test every year as part of their annual exam. Don't take 'No' for an answer. If I had known then what I know now, we would have caught my cancer much earlier before it was Stage 3!" said the emailer.

Fact:
"CA-125 protein levels in the blood can be measured as a marker for ovarian cancer. It is not used for screening because of its poor accuracy; there are some harmless reasons levels can be elevated and not all women with an ovarian tumor will have an increased level," according to Debbie Saslow, PhD, director of breast and cervical cancer for the American Cancer Society.

"Testing is recommended for women at very high risk, such as those with a family history of the disease," she added. The blood test is routinely used for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer to measure their response to treatments, as well as to watch for recurrence.

According to the American Cancer Society, one in 57 women will get ovarian cancer in their lifetime. Approximately 25,200 cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed in the US this year. It accounts for four percent of all cancer cases diagnosed among women.

Rumor:
Underwire bras compact the lymphatic system of the breast and cause breast cancer. A husband and wife team of medical anthropologists has written a book citing evidence that "…these restrictive, seductive harnesses and enhancers should be gotten rid of."

Fact:
There are no scientifically valid studies that show a correlation between wearing bras of any type and the occurrence of breast cancer. Two anthropologists made this association in a book called Dressed to Kill. Their study was not conducted according to standard principles of epidemiological research and did not take into consideration other variables, including known risk factors for breast cancer.

Rumor:
It has been suggested that talcum powder might cause ovarian cancer because talcum powder particles (applied to the genital area, sanitary napkins, diaphragms, or condoms) migrate through the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes to the ovary.

Fact:
There is some truth to this rumor. Several epidemiological studies have examined the relationship between talcum powder and cancer of the ovary. Findings are mixed, with some studies reporting a slightly increased risk and some reporting no association.

A recent case-control study of 313 women with ovarian cancer and 422 without this disease found the women with cancer were more likely to have applied talcum powder to their external genital area or to have used genital deodorant sprays. Women using these products had a 50 to 90 percent higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Storing diaphragms with powder did not significantly increase cancer risk. Since many of these women might have used products at some point in their lives which contained more asbestos contamination than products now available, the ovarian cancer risk for current users is difficult to evaluate. Until additional research is conducted, women may wish to consider avoiding these products or substituting cornstarch-based powders that contain no talc.

Link: www.urbanlegends.com