trust me...its safe..slather it on...

[Guest guest]

Cosmetic chemicals found in breast tumours

 

 

12:24 12 January 04

 

NewScientist.com news service

 

Preservative chemicals found in samples of breast tumours probably

came from underarm deodorants, UK scientists have claimed.

 

Their analysis of 20 breast tumours found high concentrations of

para-hydroxybenzoic acids (parabens) in 18 samples. Parabens can

mimic the hormone estrogen, which is known to play a role in the

development of breast cancers. The preservatives are used in many

cosmetics and some foods to increase their shelf-life.

 

"From this research it is not possible to say whether parabens

actually caused these tumours, but they may certainly be associated

with the overall rise in breast cancer cases," says Philip Harvey,

an editor of the Journal of Applied Toxicology, which published the

research.

 

"Given that breast cancer is the largest killer of women and a very

high percentage of young women use underarm deodorants, I think we

should be carrying out properly funded, further investigations into

parabens and where they are found in the body," Harvey told New

Scientist.

 

 

Chemical cousins

 

 

The new research was led by molecular biologist Philippa Darbre, at

the University of Reading. She says that the ester-bearing form of

parabens found in the tumours indicates it came from something

applied to the skin, such as an underarm deodorant, cream or body

spray. When parabens are eaten, they are metabolised and lose the

ester group, making them less strongly estrogen-mimicking.

 

"One would expect tumours to occur evenly, with 20 per cent arising

in each of the five areas of the breast," Darbre told New

Scientist. "But these results help explain why up to 60 per cent of

all breast tumours are found in just one-fifth of the breast - the

upper-outer quadrant, nearest the underarm."

 

However, Chris Flower, director general of the Cosmetic, Toiletry

and Perfumery Association, challenged the study's findings. "There

are almost no deodorants and body sprays that contain parabens," he

says. "Although they are in most other creams and cosmetics, the

safety margin is huge and they would not have any effect on

enhancing growth of new tumours."

 

Darbre replies that deodorants and antiperspirants have only stopped

containing parabens in the last few months and that the tumours she

studied occurred prior to this.

 

A small survey by New Scientist of three British high street shops

and one supermarket found deodorants in each that contained

parabens, although most of these products did not. However, many

other products used under the arm commonly contained parabens, such

as body sprays, hair removal creams and shaving gels. Body lotions,

face creams, cleansers and shampoos also frequently contained

parabens.

 

Skin deep

Previously published studies have shown that parabens are able to be

absorbed through the skin and to bind to the body's estrogen-

receptors, where they can encourage breast cancer cell growth

-------------

 

What is paraben mix and where is it found?

Paraben mix is a mixture of 5 different paraben esters; methyl-,

ethyl-, propyl-, butyl- and benzyl-parahydroxybenzoic acids.

Parabens are the most commonly used preservatives in topical

pharmaceutical preparations. They are also used in cosmetics, skin

care products, medications, foods, and industrially in oils, fats,

shoe polishes, textiles and glues. Two or more paraben esters are

often found in the one product so it is useful to test paraben

sensitivity with paraben mix, as there is a high incidence of cross-

reactions between the esters.

http://www.dermnetnz.org/dna.acd/paraben.html

[Guest guest]

Thanks Fraggle - good to have a long article on parabens. I came home with a new supply of bath toiletries tonight after discovering parabens in some of the ones I use.

 

Jo