London, Sept 3 : A new study has found a possible link between aluminium in deodorants and breast cancer.

The study observed that women, who have had mastectomies, carried high levels of the metal in their outer breasts.

Dr Chris Exley, who tested 17 patients at Wythenshaw Hospital, Manchester, said that all of them had the metal concentrate closest to their underarms

"They all had higher concentrations of aluminium in the breast tissue closest to the underarm," the Mirror quoted Dr Chris Exley, as saying.

However, Dr Christopher Flower, directorgeneral of the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association, refuted the study's findings.

"We do not believe that aluminium is absorbed into the body from the use of antiperspirants."

The research will be published in the November issue of the Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry.