Antiperspirants and Breast Cancer: Old Myth Sees New Life on Facebook

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Once again, the story is floating around Facebook that the using antiperspirants cause breast cancer. The claim states that cancer causing chemicals in the products enter the body through tiny nicks in the skin, thereby infecting the lymph nodes surrounding the breast tissue. The latest says to wash the underarm with soap and water before going to bed.
According to the Facebook post, deodorants are fine; however, using antiperspirants is what increases the potential for breast cancer. It claims that most breast cancers start in the upper quadrants of the breast in the lymph nodes nearest to the armpit, because that's where toxins from the antiperspirants congregate.

The Facebook floater also suggests that the reason women are more susceptible to breast cancer than men is because men have hair under their arms and women do not. This means the antiperspirants applied to a man's underarm stick to the hair, because a woman applies it directly to her skin. It further warns that antiperspirants inhibit the body's ability to release toxins.

The theory that antiperspirants cause breast cancer in women is by no means new; variations of the story have been floating around since 1999. However, according to agencies like the American Cancer Society, these claims are unsubstantiated. This does not stop the "research" from resurfacing, though, leaving many women wondering if the products are safe; especially now with the constant influx of new research regarding cancer causing elements in items households use daily.

The clamor around antiperspirants usually centers around two ingredients - parabens and aluminum.

Parabens

Parabens are preservatives. The reason they became controversial is they can act like estrogen inside the body, and over...

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...ess of how disingenuous that information may be; creating false fear does not address a real problem.

According to the American Cancer Society, the best things women can do to prevent breast cancer is maintain a healthy weight, eat a healthy diet, and limit alcohol consumption. A woman should know her genetics and know her body, and see a doctor if she notices something suspicious or out-of-place. Prevention and early detection provide the best defenses to breast cancer.

As for the latest run of the anti-antiperspirant cancer scare, there is no scientific validation of the claims, nor are they backed by the American Cancer Society. While there are questions, most experts consider antiperspirants safe to use; it just helps to know there are other options available. Besides, going natural may work for some; for others, a good dose of antiperspirant is worth the risk.

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