HealthDay reports that British researchers found traces of parabens, a chemical used in deodorants, in 158 of the 160 tissue samples taken from 40 women who had had masectomies. And the women found to have one form of paraben closest to the arpit "had a disproportionate incidence of breast cancer in that area," according to the article.

Parabens can trigger biological reactions similar to the hormone estrogen, which is a recognized risk factor for breast cancer. The study does not conclusively tie deodorant to breast cancer but rather " merely confirms earlier, smaller studies which detected parabens in breast tissue of women with cancer,'' Dr. Michael J. Thun, vice president emeritus of epidemiology and surveillance research for the American Cancer Society, told HealthDay. "It shows that parabens can be absorbed (probably from personal care products) and the underarm deodorant is not the only source."

The debate has been ongoing for so long that The National Cancer Institute publishes an entire page discussing the potential link between deodorant and breast cancer but errs on the side of industry by saying no conclusive evidence has been found. The website Good did a piece on several chemicals found in deodorant and their known health risks. And ControlYourImpact has a frightening graphic which it asserts shows the increased incidence of breast cancer as deodorant sales climbed.

The latest study, published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology and though not conclusive, revives those concerns.

Dr. Philippa Darbre, who co-authored the research paper published, tells HealthDay it would be prudent for consumers to use fewer cosmetic products.

"We simply use too much in the modern world,'' she said. "Too much for our body systems and too much for the wider environment."

Personally, I'd rather smell than be dead.