What’s the deal with parabens? My mother told me she has heard that they are highly carcinogenic. But looking at the articles in a Google search, the science doesn’t seem conclusive. And they are in everything!! Do I toss my Noxzema and cocoa butter lotion, or wait for more data?

I don't think you should toss them just yet. They seem to be okay due to safety record after their long term use. It seems that the controversy was largely propagated by mass e-mail or Public interest organizations, but scientific studies have not proven they are harmful. In other words, wait for more data.