Does antiperspirant use increase your breast cancer chances?

A claim has made its way around the internet for years that using antiperspirant can lead to ung thư vú.

We’re taking a closer look at the possible link to determine whether this claim passes the smell test.

What is the difference between antiperspirant and deodorant?

The main difference between antiperspirant and deodorant is that antiperspirant works to reduce how much you sweat, while deodorant is designed to mask odor.

Antiperspirant blocks your body’s eccrine glands, which make sweat. By applying antiperspirant, you’ll sweat less in that area than you naturally would. Deodorant works in two ways–it contains antimicrobial properties that reduce the number of odor-producing bacteria, then masks any odor with a fragrance. There are many products on the market that act as both an antiperspirant and deodorant.

Another key difference is how the two are classified and regulated. Antiperspirants are classified as a drug, while deodorants are considered cosmetic products. Because of this classification, antiperspirants are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and deodorants are not.

Does using antiperspirant or deodorant cause breast cancer?

MỘT 2017 study in Austria found what they believed to be a potential link.

Researchers studied 460 women between the ages 20-85, some healthy and others who had a confirmed breast cancer diagnosis within the past five years. Their study found an association of antiperspirant use with breast cancer, but only for women who reported using the product several times a day when they were under the age of 30.

The researchers touted their study as more comprehensive than those done previously but conceded because it relied on patients self-reporting, it could lead to inaccuracies. For instance, younger women may remember their hygiene habits from years past better than elderly women. They also conceded that more research is necessary.

There’s no clear evidence to suggest that using antiperspirant or deodorant leads to an increased chance of breast cancer. Studies failed to find any direct link between antiperspirant use and breast cancer, but many acknowledged that more research and larger, better-designed studies are necessary.

ĐỌC THÊM | 5 myths about breast cancer

Should I be concerned about aluminum levels in antiperspirants?

Traces of aluminum are also found in normal, healthy breast tissue, and according to Dr. Therese Bevers with the University of Texas’ MD Anderson Cancer Center, the level of transfer is of no real consequence.

“We have no data to support the theory that these [antiperspirants] cause cancer,” Dr. Bevers said. “If that were the case, we’d be seeing a lot more breast cancers in men, because they use antiperspirants, too. And, we haven’t.”

Where does the fear come from? Some people have assumed a connection between the aluminum compounds found in antiperspirants that are also found in some breast tumors. They worry that when they apply antiperspirant, the aluminum in antiperspirant gets transferred to the breast tissue (considering the proximity from the breasts to the armpits) and that this transfer could lead to cancer, but this has not been proven.

Others assume a connection due to, breast cancers present in the axillary (underarm) lymph nodes, at or near where you would typically apply antiperspirant or deodorant—but these are usually breast cancers that have begun in the breast and have then spread through the lymphatic system.

If aluminum levels aren’t dangerous, why can’t I wear antiperspirant to my mammogram?

The aluminum particles in antiperspirant can show up on the mammogram images as white spots, which can make the image hard to read since tumors and calcifications (which can be an early sign of cancer) also show up as white. To avoid this problem (and the need for additional testing), health care providers ask that you avoid antiperspirant use before going in for your mammogram.

RELATED | Is it breast cancer? Know what is normal for you

Are there other health concerns related to using antiperspirant or deodorant?

Application to rough or broken skin:
Applying antiperspirant or deodorant to rough or broken skin can lead to redness, irritation and inflammation. Consult your health care provider if you are experiencing this.

Kidney disease:
The FDA requires antiperspirant labels to include a warning that reads, “Ask a doctor before use if you have kidney disease.” But according to the National Kidney Foundation, this warning is meant only for those with Stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease.

According to National Kidney Foundation spokesperson Dr. Leslie Spry, it isn’t possible to absorb enough aluminum through the skin to harm your kidneys, “unless you eat your stick or spray it into your mouth.”

Paraben exposure:
Some brands of antiperspirants or deodorants may contain parabens. Parabens are compounds widely used as preservatives and are most commonly found in cosmetics and personal care items.

One study found that exposure to parabens for more than 20 weeks leads to increased migratory and invasive activity in human breast cancer cells.

But according to the FDA, there is no information showing that parabens, as they are used in cosmetics, have an effect on human health.

What can I do if I’m still concerned about antiperspirant or deodorant increasing my breast cancer risk?

If you’re concerned about being exposed to aluminum or parabens, you can choose to avoid products containing them.

You are much less likely to find aluminum in products that are strictly deodorant than you are in antiperspirants. There are many antiperspirants and deodorants on the market that are paraben-free.
Consumer products containing aluminum and parabens are required to list them as ingredients. Common names of parabens in these products are methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben and ethylparaben.

But the most important thing you can do for you breast health is to follow the ways to prevent cancer and stay on top of your routine breast cancer screenings.

For people ages 25 to 39, talk with your health care provider at least once every three years for risk assessment, risk reduction counseling and a clinical breast exam. If you are 40 or older, make sure you’re scheduling a 2D OR 3D screening mammogram annually to stay ahead of breast cancer or to detect it early, increasing your chances of better outcomes.

ĐỌC CŨNG | My journey with stage 3B triple-negative breast cancer as a health care leader, wife & mom