Underarm cosmetics with estrogen may contribute to breast cancer.

2004 FEB 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Further work is needed to determine whether the use of underarm cosmetics (particularly containing estrogenic formulants) contributes to the rising incidence of breast cancer.

"A recent review by Darbre (2003) published in this journal (J. Appl Toxicol 2003;23:89-95) has attracted public and scientific interest that requires perspective, particularly on the use of esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens) as preservatives in underarm cosmetics. Although parabens are generally regarded as safe, recent reports suggest that they are estrogenic in a variety of in vitro (including MCF7 and ZR-75-1 human breast cancer cell lines) and in vivo tests for estrogenicity (uterotrophic assays in both rat and mouse)," scientists in Canada report.

"There are also recent reports of adverse reproductive and developmental outcomes in rodent toxicity studies. Of interest is the lack of activity by the oral route but clear activity by the subcutaneous and topical routes, which is of some relevance to the use of underarm cosmetics," wrote P.W. Harvey and colleagues, Covance Laboratories, Ltd., Montreal

"There would seem to be a case now to supplement these emerging toxicity data with longer term regulatory standard tests examining other estrogenic endpoints and at least to consider these findings in more up-to-date risk assessments specific for cosmetic use," the researchers wrote.

"Further, there are few data on the use of underarm cosmetics and the risk of breast cancer, and ...