There is insufficient data to establish a clear link between the use of underarm deodorants and breast cancer, a scientific committee of the European Commission has found.
The Scientific Committee on Consumer Products has reached its conclusion after looking at several pieces of research, including a British study published last year which raised concern about a possible link.
The committee wanted to assess if there were risks for users of underarm cosmetics containing parabens, which are chemicals used to preserve foods, medicines, and cosmetics. It also wanted to establish if it should recommend restrictions on the use of underarm cosmetics containing parabens.
British scientists found traces of parabens in the tumours of 20 breast cancer sufferers last year. The research was conducted at the University of Reading and led by Dr Philippa Darbre, who said the presence of parabens in all tissue samples examined showed the preservatives could accumulate inside the body.
She said parabens had been shown to be able to mimic the action of the female hormone oestrogen. "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 Darbre said.
The scientific committee considered the Darbre study and also corresponded with Dr Darbre, who pointed out the presence of parabens was not claimed to cause the breast tumours.
Furthermore, the committee said the authors of two other studies, in 2002 and 2003, could not establish a relationship between the use of underarm deodorants and antiperspirants and the occurrence of breast cancer.
The committee said age was the major risk factor with regard to the incidence of breast tumours, followed by family history of breast cancer.
It said studies in rats, dogs and mice had proven parabens to be "practically non-toxic" and "not carcinogenic".