Antiperspirants and Breast Cancer Old Myth Sees New Life...

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 thats where toxins from the antiperspirants congregate. The Facebook floater also suggests that the reason women are more†¦show more content†¦Most shampoos, body lotions, and cosmetics contain some form of paraben. Not all studies agree about the effect parabens have on the human body, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada have ruled them safe at current exposure levels. Since not everyone finds a ruling by a government agency comforting, many paraben-free products are now available, including deodorants. They may just have to be kept in the refrigerator. Aluminum Aluminum is the active antiperspirant is antiperspirants, which, combined with deodorant, keeps one smelling fresh and clean. The question stems from whether aluminum is absorbed into the body, and does this absorption lead to cancer. Again, nothing definitive from the scientific front, but the concerns have largely been dismissed based on the reasoning that a persons body cannot absorb enough aluminum from antiperspirants to constitute a health risk. However, aluminum build up on clothing has been shown to create those lovely yellow pit stains, especially when it reacts to some laundry detergents. Using aluminum free deodorants and antiperspirants can alleviate this problem, but their actual effectiveness combating a persons perspirant becomes debatable. How well an aluminum-free product works depends on an individuals body chemistry. Does shaving put women at risk? Another point of contention says that mens underarm hair limits the exposure, since most of