Chemicals
from underarm deodorants and other cosmetics can build up inside
the body, according to a study. British researchers have found
traces of chemicals called parabens in tissue taken from women
with breast cancer.
While there is no evidence they cause cancer, the scientists
have called for the use of parabens to be reviewed.
The cosmetics industry insists the chemicals, which are used
as preservatives and are approved for use by regulators, are
safe.
Dr Philippa Darbre and colleagues at the University of Reading
carried out tests on samples of 20 different human breast tumours.
Writing in the Journal of Applied Toxicology, they say they
found traces of parabens in every sample.
Parabens have a very, very good safety profile
Chris Flower, Cosmetic Toiletry & Perfumery Association Their
tests suggested the chemicals had seeped into the tissue after
being applied to the skin.
"This is the first study to show their accumulation in human
tissues," said Dr Darbre.
"It demonstrates that if people are exposed to these chemicals,
then the chemicals will accumulate in their bodies."
'Drive tumours'
Dr Darbre said there may be reason for people to be concerned
about the findings.
"Their detection in human breast tumours is of concern since
parabens have been shown to be able to mimic the action of the
female hormone oestrogen," she said.
"Oestrogen can drive the growth of human breast tumours. It
would therefore seem especially prudent to consider whether
parabens should continue to be used in such a wide range of
cosmetics applied to the breast area including deodorants."
Dr Philip Harvey, European editor of the journal, said the findings
should be interpreted cautiously.
"Further work is required to examine any association between
oestrogenic and other chemicals in underarm cosmetics and breast
cancer."
"We
have an enormous amount of information which supports the
safety of these chemicals and their use in cosmetics"
--- Chris Flower Cosmetic Toiletry & Perfumery Association
Chris Flower,
director general of the UK's Cosmetic Toiletry & Perfumery Association,
welcomed the study.
"It is welcome additional information and we will want to examine
the findings in detail," he told BBC News Online.
"However, parabens have a very, very good safety profile. We
have an enormous amount of information which supports the safety
of these chemicals and their use in cosmetics."
Caution
Delyth Morgan of Breakthrough Breast Cancer said: "This extremely
small study does not demonstrate a direct causal link between
deodorant or antiperspirant use and developing breast cancer.
"Further research is needed to establish the source of the chemicals
found in the breast tumour samples and what, if any, the relationship
is to breast cancer."
A spokesman for the UK's Department of Trade and Industry said
government scientists would examine the findings.
"Parabens are approved for use in the UK and in Europe and all
the information we have suggests they are safe to use.
"However, British scientists will examine this study."
Dr Richard Sullivan, head of clinical programmes at Cancer Research
UK, said there was no evidence that deodorants were linked to
an increased risk of breast cancer.
He said the latest study was very small, and had by no means
produced conclusive results.
"The increased incidence we are seeing of breast cancer can
be explained by many other factors," he said.
Chemicals
from underarm deodorants and other cosmetics can build up inside
the body, according to a study. British researchers have found
traces of chemicals called parabens in tissue taken from women
with breast cancer. 
