BHT and why you should avoid it

In researching information on cancer prevention for my own fight against breast cancer I tend to come across latest fads and info about the newest links to cancers, theories, and products that are carcinogens.  Here in the U.S. it is astounding how many products and foods that are allowed in our country for consumption to the American people. 
I used to feel safer buying American products because I naively thought our FDA watched over the safety of the products and foods and that we held things to a higher standard than other countries. 
What a joke. 
I am not a big conspiracy theorist, or anti-American however I do believe that the powers that be and big companies are too blinded by greed of the almighty dollar that they lie to the American public and allow harmful products to be consumed in a snowball effect that ends up lining the pockets of big pharma.  
BHT and BHA are one such item. BHT or butyl hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a fat soluble synthetic compound which is commonly used to preserve foods and cosmetics to slow down the autoxidation rate of ingredients in a product that can cause changes in the taste or color.
When looking at the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for BHT they found the following:

• Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment.
• Combustible.
• Ingestion causes Abdominal pain. Confusion. Dizziness. Nausea. Vomiting.
• The substance may have effects on the liver.
• The substance is harmful to aquatic organisms.

That is certainly concerning when we have it in our food and in our cosmetics!
The FDA have approved BHT for use in food, so it comes down to us to check ingredients.  And not surprising BHT is found in both kids favorite bright colored and fruity cereals to what are seemingly healthy adult cereals that look like a healthy alternative even saying, non-GMO, organic, healthy...... until you read the ingredients and find BHT as the preservative.
My kids hate going grocery shopping with me because when they want to pick out a new cereal we HAVE to read the box and look for BHT.  They know those 3 little letters mean a hard NO.  It's very disappointing!  For me too!  I have had to stop using one of my favorite shower gel and lotion combos from a leading bath and body store because their signature line contains BHT as a preservative.  This broke my heart!  I have to be extremely careful and read the teeny tiny list of ingredients for the items that don't have BHT.  It sucks.
But think about it.  Our skin is our biggest organ right?  Well if you are rubbing lotion into your skin every day or even a few times a week over the course of years, plus eating small to medium doses of BHT every day don't you think your chances of cancer would be elevated?  The correct answer is Yes.
For most of us cancer patients and survivors we are told our cancer is environmental, meaning the doctor's don't have one trigger point for it and as Americans there is so much fake, chemical crap in EVERYTHING that it is only a matter of time before our DNA is broken down and cancer can either be triggered or grow.

My advice.... don't be a blind shopper or consumer.  READ your products, make educated healthier choices.  You only have one life to live so make the most of it!