Chemicals found in most underarm deodorants have been detected in breast cancer tumors, according to a British study.

NewsCenter 5's Heather Unruh reported that more than 90 percent of cosmetics and some deodorants contain chemical preservatives called parabens or hydroxybenzoic acids. British researchers found parabens in 18 of 20 breast tumors, proving for the first time, they can accumulate in the body.

The study's author, Dr. Philippa Darbre, said that it's concerning.

"Since parabens have been shown to mimic the action of the female hormone estrogen, and estrogen can drive the growth of human breast tumors," Darbre said.

Oncologists stress that there's no evidence parabens cause cancer.

"This was a study that involved only 20 breast tumors. The meaning of this is entirely unknown," Dana Farber Cancer Institute Dr. Eric Winer said.

While parabens are also used in food, the British findings suggest this form entered the body through the skin, most likely under the arm.

"The results help explain why 60 percent of all breast tumors are found in just one-fifth of the breast- the upper-outer quadrant, nearest the underarm," Darbre said.

"You can get a very good deodorant without parabens," Natural Gourmet spokesman Adam Stark said.

Natural paraben-free deodorants already sell well. Some hospitals even recommend them for breast cancer patients.

"Emerson is sending them for a rock deodorant, or crystal rock deodorant because it doesn't have chemicals, so there's nothing then to affect the lymph nodes under the arms," Natural Gourmet spokeswoman Debra Stark said.

Doctors say don't panic. "I feel pretty strongly that this is not something that should lead to a great deal of public concern, certainly not at this time," Winer said.

More research is needed before throwing your deodorant away.

By The Boston Channel.com