Small studies of deodorant and antiperspirants have suggested that daily use of these products might raise a woman's risk for breast cancer over time, especially given the armpit's proximity to sensitive breast tissue. A research dermatologist suggests reading the labels before purchasing a beauty product.

    "There have also been a couple of studies that have been pretty good at showing that (these products) -- at least the aluminum in them -- are not really related to breast cancer," said Dr. Lisa Donofrio, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine.

    "This debate right now is probably closer to 'case closed,' " she said, adding future studies might turn up conflicting data.

    Donofrio said preservatives used in a wide range of beauty products called "parabins" could be a problem for some users. Parabins are used by manufacturers to increase shelf life because a small minority of consumers are allergic to another preservative called formaldehyde releasers.

    "So, parabins are now found across the board in beauty items ¡ª makeup, and most commonly in lotions," Donofrio said. But the problem with parabins is that they "are estrogenic, meaning they will bind to estrogen receptors [on cells], and in test-tube studies, they actually stimulate breast cancer cells."

    Higher levels of circulating estrogens has long been a prime risk factor for breast cancer. Industry experts note that parabins are used in extremely small amounts in health and beauty products.

    "For that reason, they say they're just in too small amounts to cause any problems," Donofrio said. "But over a lifetime, with daily use of these creams, we don't actually know what the cumulative dose really is."

    For that reason, Donofrio advises that anyone not allergic to formaldehyde releasers shy away from products containing parabins, which are usually noted on label ingredient lists as either methyl parabin or propyl parabin.

    For those people who are allergic to formaldehyde releasers, she suggests using products containing a third class of preservative, sodium benzoate. Compared to parabins, "it's the lesser of two evils," the Yale expert said. Enditem

    (Agencies)