ALAN MacDERMID January 12 2004
NEW evidence of a possible link between chemicals found in underarm cosmetics and breast cancer is published today.
Scientists who examined tissue samples from Scottish patients found compounds which are widely used as preservatives in cosmetics, food and pharmaceutical products.
The fact that the compounds were intact is taken as an indication that they passed directly through the skin into the breast tissue, whereas if they had been taken orally and passed through the digestive system, they would more likely have turned up in metabolised form.
The suggestion that underarm perspirants and deodorants may contribute to the rising incidence of breast cancer is often dismissed as an urban myth sustained by the internet, but the latest research is likely to renew the controversy and fuel further scientific investigation.
Scientists at Reading University studied samples from 20 different human breast tumours collected by the Edinburgh Breast Unit research group at the Western General Hospital, measuring the concentration in the tissue of compounds known as parabens. Eighteen contained parabens, with high concentrations in four.
The findings, published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology, show that parabens were detected in the samples with a mean concentration of 20.6 nanograms per gramme (1 part per 48m) of tissue.
Dr Philippa Darbre, lead author of the study, said yesterday that parabens were used as preservatives in thousands of cosmetics, food and pharmaceutical products, but this was the first study to show their accumulation in human tissues.
"It demonstrates that if people are exposed to these chemicals, then the chemicals will accumulate in their bodies," she said.
Dr Darbre said tumour tissue had been used because it was available, but it would now be important to compare this with normal tissue.
The parabens were detected in their ester form, rather than metabolite form, which suggested that the route of entry was topical and not oral. "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, and 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."
Dr Philip Harvey, European editor of the journal, said the results were significant and very important, but must be interpreted with caution. "Dr Darbre has forwarded a logical hypothesis and called for further research into the potential link between chemicals used in underarm cosmetics and breast cancer."
Dr Chris Flower, director general of the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Perfumery Association, pointed out 96% of deodorants and anti-perspirants used in the UK did not contain any parabens at all, and that those products that did contain the chemical were all within set limits, posing no danger to the public.
Cancer charities agreed more research was needed before conclusions could be drawn. Dr Richard Sullivan, head of clinical programmes at Cancer Research UK, said: "Although this is an interesting study, it should be noted the sample size is very small. No causal relationship has ever been found between underarm cosmetics containing parabens and breast cancer."
The parabens were detected in their ester form, rather than metabolite form, which suggested that the route of entry was topical and not oral. "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, and 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."
Dr Philip Harvey, European editor of the journal, said the results were significant and very important, but must be interpreted with caution. "Dr Darbre has forwarded a logical hypothesis and called for further research into the potential link between chemicals used in underarm cosmetics and breast cancer."
Dr Chris Flower, director general of the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Perfumery Association, pointed out 96% of deodorants and anti-perspirants used in the UK did not contain any parabens at all, and that those products that did contain the chemical were all within set limits, posing no danger to the public.
Cancer charities agreed more research was needed before conclusions could be drawn. Dr Richard Sullivan, head of clinical programmes at Cancer Research UK, said: "Although this is an interesting study, it should be noted the sample size is very small. No causal relationship has ever been found between underarm cosmetics containing parabens and breast cancer."
A link to the article at theherald.co.uk is here
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