Health Feature Articles
Antiperspirants/Deodorants and Breast Cancer Risk - It is a Myth
Heartland Cancer Information Service, National Cancer Institute
There is no truth to the rumor that
antiperspirants/deodorants can cause breast cancer.
False warnings like this often get spread on the
Internet, possibly started by someone who has a product
to sell.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI), the nation's
chief cancer research agency, is not aware of any
evidence of a link between use of antiperspirants and
deodorants and the development of breast cancer. Also,
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which regulates
food, cosmetics, medicines, and medical devices, has no
evidence that ingredients in underarm antiperspirants or
deodorants cause cancer.
Last year, the Journal of the National Cancer
Institute published a study on this topic. The study
showed no increased risk for breast cancer among women
who reported using an antiperspirant or deodorant. It
showed no increased risk for women who use a blade
(non-electric) razor and an antiperspirant or deodorant,
or for women who use an antiperspirant or deodorant
within one hour of shaving with a blade razor. The
findings were based on interviews with 813 women with
breast cancer and 793 women with no history of the
disease.
For information about the factors known to increase
breast cancer risk, call the Cancer Information Service
at 1-800-4-CANCER or visit the NCI Web site at
www.cancer.gov.
Women who are concerned about their breast cancer risk
should talk with their doctor.
"Ask the CIS" is distributed by the Cancer Information Service (CIS) of the Heartland, which serves Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri & Illinois. The CIS is a program of the National Cancer Institute. Call the CIS toll-free at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. local time.
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Last Updated 04/25/2008
