Deodorant question for health professionals...?

Question

My son is now 12. Last year he underwent chemo and he's ok now, but he is afraid to use deodorant as they all have that ingredient in it which is linked to causing cancer. He's at puberty now and needs to use something.

Can anyone recommend a deodorant available in Canada preferrably that doesn't have that ingredient? I believe it's aluminum or something of that nature.


Thanks in advance.

I heard that deodorants were different from anti-perspirants..but none are labelled deodorants..I can't blame the little guy for being scared! :~)

Answer 1

Hi Eve

What kind of cancer did your son have? I don't blame him for worrying as cancer is scary. I'm a survivor too, and I wound up with lymphedema too.

There's alot of pro and con sites on the web about cancer and different contents of deoderants and antiperspirants that cause cancer. In fact alot of breast cancer sites recommend avoiding aluminums.

One of the main lymph nodes in the body is called the axilla which is located under your arms. Many believe that deoderants and antiperspirants can clog the nodes and studies have shown that the aluminium from them is found in the nodes when biopsies were done.

There are several different natural deodorants, Walmart, Sam's and BJ's carry them. They are for men and women, I use Spray Mist which is a deodorant crystal spray, it's 100% pure and natural, it has the pink ribbon on it for cancer approval too. They have crystal rocks too but I prefer sprays. I get 4 ounce (120ml) for $3.97 here in New York at Walmart. Walgreens also has them too, but you have to look in the women's section even tho the bottle says for men and women because of the pink ribbon it's in the women's section.

The spray is made up of mineral salts, perfectly natural and they do work too for sweating and odor control.

Answer 2

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), "Deodorants or antiperspirants are not cancer risk factors to men or women."
Reference (third to the last paragraph of the article on this page):
http://web.archive.org/web/20030103135000/http://www.cancer.org/docroot/nws/content/nws_1_1x_email_rumors.asp
Although this statement from ACS is dated May 21, 1999, a newer article on
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/internetlife/2002-10-17-email-hoax_x.htm
(copyright 2005 by the Associated Press)
reiterates that no evidence has linked these personal products with cancer (ACS and National Cancer Institute).
Nonetheless, I can identify with your son's fears since I too underwent chemotherapy and if I could do anything to decrease my risk of recurrence or metastasis, I would.
He can use alum (not be be mistaken nor confused with aluminum aluminum salts such as aluminum chlorohydrate which the urban legend says is the component in antiperspirants that contribute to cancer). Alum is a water-soluble salt and among its uses is as a deodorant (see uses of alum on this page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alum).
In the Philippines, we call it Tawas and it is a very popular base for soaps and other beauty products that aim to help those who want to whiten our brown complexion into a fairer tone. I don't know if alum will be available in health food stores in the US but a Filipino or other Asian store will most likely have it as soap, crystal, deodorant stick, or some other formulation.

Answer 3

that stuff only causes cancer if you eat it. However, I believe its only in antiperspirant and in some pickles. try a deodorant that is not antiperspirant, probably old spice would make some, since they are one of the oldest companies that makes the stuff.
You could try one of those health food stores as well . they sell all natural stuff. but it doesn't really work all that well

Answer 4

I've heard that scientist recently found out that the ingredient is actually safe. I'm not completely sure though.

Answer 5

Try something from a health food store. They have all types of healthier products for looking and smelling good