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LONDON: Scientists say they have discovered a chemical, used in daily toiletry products and food products, in tumours of 40 breast cancer patients, but allayed fears by claiming that further probe is needed.

A team at the University of Reading claims the chemical compound, called parabens, was spotted in the tissue samples of the 40 women undergoing mastectomies between 2005 and 2008 for first primary breast cancer in the UK.

Parabens possess oestrogenic properties. Oestrogen is known to play a central role in the development, growth and progression of breast cancer.

Parabens are found in moisturisers, make-up, shaving foam, tanning lotions and toothpaste, as also used in processed meats such as sausages, pies and pastries along with other savoury snacks.

For the study, altogether 160 samples were collected, four from each woman. The scientists found 99% of the tissue samples contained at least one paraben and 60 per cent of the samples had five, the 'Daily Mail' reported.

The team found women who didn't use underarm deodorants still had measurable parabens in their tissue, suggesting they must enter the breast from other sources.

Dr Philippa Darbre, who led the team, said: "The fact that parabens were detected in the majority of the breast tissue samples cannot be taken to imply that they actually caused breast cancer in the 40 women studied. However, the fact that parabens were present in so many of the breast tissue samples does justify further investigation." Added co-author Lester Barr from the University Hospital of South Manchester : "Our study appears to confirm the view that there is no simple cause and effect relationship between parabens in underarm products and breast cancer."

source: TOI