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Is it true that antiperspirents can cause cancer? Please answer

2007-04-04 19:12:58 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health Women's Health

13 answers

I've heard that they can. I've also heard cellphones can- so if you're going to stop using an antipersperant, you had better stop talking on cellphones. Also, living at a high altitude can, sun can, etc.

What I'm trying to say is that like many, many, other day-to-day things, it has been linked to cancer but the likelihood of you getting cancer JUST from that? Very little.

2007-04-04 20:08:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

No, that is not true, even though I am a boy, I do know lots of girls - we live in the same world, and boys use antiperspirants, too, you know.

2007-04-05 02:17:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

1. Can antiperspirants or deodorants cause breast cancer?

Articles in the press and on the Internet have warned that underarm antiperspirants or deodorants cause breast cancer (1). The reports have suggested that these products contain harmful substances, which can be absorbed through the skin or enter the body through nicks caused by shaving. Some scientists have also proposed that certain ingredients in underarm antiperspirants or deodorants may be related to breast cancer because they are applied frequently to an area next to the breast (2).

However, researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) are not aware of any conclusive evidence linking the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants and the subsequent development of breast cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which regulates food, cosmetics, medicines, and medical devices, also does not have any evidence or research data that ingredients in underarm antiperspirants or deodorants cause cancer.

2. What have scientists learned about the relationship between antiperspirants or deodorants and breast cancer?

In 2002, the results of a study looking for a relationship between breast cancer and underarm antiperspirants/deodorants were reported (3). This study did not show any increased risk for breast cancer in women who reported using an underarm antiperspirant or deodorant. The results also showed no increased breast cancer risk for women who reported using a blade (nonelectric) razor and an underarm antiperspirant or deodorant, or for women who reported using an underarm antiperspirant or deodorant within 1 hour of shaving with a blade razor. These conclusions were based on interviews with 813 women with breast cancer and 793 women with no history of breast cancer.

A different study examining the frequency of underarm shaving and antiperspirant/deodorant use among 437 breast cancer survivors was released in 2003 (4). This study found that the age of breast cancer diagnosis was significantly lower in women who used these products and shaved their underarms more frequently. Furthermore, women who began both of these underarm hygiene habits before 16 years of age were diagnosed with breast cancer at an earlier age than those who began these habits later. While these results suggest that underarm shaving with the use of antiperspirants/deodorants may be related to breast cancer, it does not demonstrate a conclusive link between these underarm hygiene habits and breast cancer. Additional research is needed to investigate this relationship and other factors that may be involved.

Other research has focused on certain preservatives (parabens) that are used in deodorants and antiperspirants, as well as many cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical products. Parabens have been shown to mimic the activity of estrogen (a hormone) in the body’s cells (5). Because estrogen promotes the growth of breast cancer cells, some scientists have suggested that the use of deodorants or antiperspirants could cause the accumulation of parabens in breast tissues, which may contribute to the development of breast cancer. This hypothesis was supported by a 2004 study that found parabens within 18 of 20 samples of tissue from human breast tumors (6). However, this study did not prove that parabens cause breast tumors (5). The authors of this study did not analyze healthy breast tissue or tissues from other areas of the body, and did not demonstrate that parabens are found only in cancerous breast tissue (6). Furthermore, this research did not identify the source of the parabens, and cannot establish that the accumulation of parabens is due to the use of deodorants or antiperspirants. More research is needed to specifically assess whether the use of deodorants or antiperspirants can cause the accumulation of parabens in breast tissue, and whether these chemicals can promote the development of breast cancer.

2007-04-05 03:31:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

I'm a pharmacist, and to tell u the truth there r a lot of different type of active ingredients for each type, but i have never heard that any of them cause cancer, but then who knows what causes cancer!?! these days everything does!!!

2007-04-05 02:22:57 · answer #4 · answered by shaima 2 · 0 0

No, it's not true. I've never heard before that they could cause cancer.

2007-04-05 06:22:28 · answer #5 · answered by sokokl 7 · 0 0

If u leave ur tampon in for more than 4 hrs. you can seriously get cancer heard it from a proffesional

2007-04-05 13:12:17 · answer #6 · answered by kenzduke96 4 · 0 0

I've not heard that its true. I've used it for 40 years and never had a problem,

2007-04-05 02:17:25 · answer #7 · answered by mamak3849 2 · 0 0

just put your mind at ease they have never actually linked it to cancer so dont go around smelling ok.

2007-04-05 02:17:31 · answer #8 · answered by stephanie o 2 · 0 0

No that is an urban myth...

Dr Karl says so

http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/moments/s1172989.htm

2007-04-05 02:26:53 · answer #9 · answered by Bexsi 2 · 0 0

Some people think so because the deotorant is so close to the breast. I don't think that, that has been proven.

2007-04-05 02:18:35 · answer #10 · answered by Tumbleweed 5 · 0 0

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