Debate over deodorant use and breast cancer reignited
Esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens), which are used as preservatives in underarm deodorants and antiperspirants, can be detected in samples of tissue from human breast tumours, say researchers.
The finding has fuelled debate over whether these chemicals, which are
thought to be oestrogenic, have contributed to the rising incidence of
breast cancer. However, toxicologists have warned that no causal association
has been found.
The latest research, published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology (2004;24:5),
reveals that parabens accumulate in human breast tissue and that the
levels measured could exert oestrogenic effects. However, the authors
of an accompanying editorial (ibid, p1) write: “The detection of
parabens in breast tumour tissue should not be taken to imply causality
of the individual cancer, because the findings are essentially coincidental
in nature.” They add that normal breast tissue, and other tissue,
was not analysed.
Richard Sullivan, head of clinical programmes at Cancer Research UK,
said: “No causal relationship has been found between underarm cosmetics
containing parabens and breast cancer. There is also no robust
population-based evidence to suggest a link.” |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal