Household cleaners may double breast cancer risk

London, July 20 (ANI): Women who overuse cleaning products could be twice as likely to get breast cancer, according to a new U.S. study.

Breast cancer researchers for the American Silent Spring Institute quizzed more than 1,500 women and found that housewives who battled to keep their bathroom, windows and homes smelling fresh, have higher risk of breast cancer.

"Women who reported the highest combined cleaning product use had a doubled risk of breast cancer compared to those with the lowest reported use," the Sun quoted institute's Julia Brody as saying.

"Use of air fresheners and products for mould and mildew control were associated with increased risk.

"To our knowledge this is the first published report on cleaning product use and risk of breast cancer," Brody added.

Insect repellents also boosted the chance of getting the disease - although there appeared to be little linking it to pesticides. (ANI)