Is anyone aware that anti-perspirant deodorants cause or contribute to the rise in breast cancer cases? Some (probably drug companies) have denied that there is any connection but there is a growing number of health professionals that believe that there is a definite link between breast cancer and anti-perspirant deodorants that in all cases contain aluminum. I think that more women should do research and take their health in their own hands and do not depend totally on what their health professional tells them. For one thing, read labels, go the natural way. At least, there are other factors involved, but for a start, use a good natural deodorant.

As a breast cancer survivor myself, I can tell you that this is most likely a myth. I asked the doctor about this while undergoing my chemotherapy.

While Urban Legends Reference Pages has it labeled as undetermined, Urban Legends Reference Pages: Anti-perspirants and Breast Cancer both my surgeons as well as my oncologist said that there was not enough definitive information to prove this beyond a reasonable medical doubt.

**EDIT** Here is more info from the American Cancer Society

Quote:

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The leading cause of breast cancer is the use of antiperspirant. Yes, ANTIPERSPIRANT. Most of the products out there are an antiperspirant/deodorant combination, so go home and check your labels. Deodorant is fine, antiperspirant is not.

Fact: This is not true. There have been many extremely thorough epidemiological studies of breast cancer risk factors published in medical journals. We are not aware of any among these proving or even suggesting anti-perspirant use as a risk factor for breast cancer, much less the "leading cause" of the disease.

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ACS :: Email Rumors

I agree with J9 on this; while deodorants may leave icky chemicals in your body, they most likely do not cause breast cancer. However, I have switched to an all natural deodorant myself.

Many of these "so-called rumors" turn out to be fact after all. How often do you read that something that was good for you is now bad for you and vice versa? Up until a report I read last week, red wine was supposed to be good for you -- it lowers cholesterol, etc. etc. Now it's claimed that even one glass of red wine per week is bad for you and could cause breast cancer. Hello? I personally put little faith in what the medical profession claims "not to be true". If there is any doubt whatsoever, or if they are just not sure, according to your statements, why not go the safe way? Does that make sense? If there are safe alternatives why not go the safe way and live longer?

They were I think of it is that ultimately they are going to find something that is bad for you in just about everything... it's best to use you best judgement on what is bad for you and what isn't and never consume too much or too little of something. That's my philosophy.

There is no reason not to go the safe way, that is not what I am saying. I am a breast cancer survivor, so believe me I did my research when I was diagnosed.

That's my point. It makes sense to go the safe way. Don't wait until you have to say "I wish I had". You are right - there might be no connection between anti-perspirant deodorants and breast cancer. But in case it turns out later that there is, Iand even if it's proved that it isn't what do I have to lose? That's my point.

Your point was that it DOES cause and/or contribute to breast cancer. That is just not so. This has been circulating for many years now. Just as bottled water being left in a car causes breast cancer. While it all may sound plausible, it just isn't so.

You are right that we have to take our health into our own hands, that we should be careful with what we do in our lives, whether it be alcohol, drugs, deodorant, but posting this saying that it causes or contributes to breast cancer just puts people in an unnecessary panic.

Yes, breast cancer is a scary disease, I've had it. I'm almost 11 years free now, but my use of deodorant neither caused or contributed to it. There are genetic markers out that now can detect the possibility at a very young age. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the tests that are conducted to see if we have a genetic predisposition.

Exactly!
I have been saying this for years. The cancer society and other health organizations want us to be dependent on the drugs that have worse side effects. There are things to do to prevent, even put cancer in remission but they don't want us to know cause it would mean the HMO's and drug companies losing millions of dollars.
Even things like the plug in fragrances have cancer causing things in them.
I put my dogs cancer in remission with some herbs and I know of people that swear by it.
It is important to keep up with your health with a doctor cause they can moniter the progress and if the alternatives aren't working for you you might need to do the chemo thing. But preventative is best and they don't want us to know the drugs, foods and products are the very thing killing us.
A friend of mine has so much toxins in her from heavy metal poisonings she can't make it through a day. She had to cut out many of the things most Americans take for granted thinking that they are safe.
I am 53 and my health was headed that way until I got into alternative methods and
Most people I know my age are on at least three drugs and having serious health problems. I don't take ANY meds at all and am healthier than I was at 20.

I cut out drinking soda from cans
Drinking diet soda
Anything with MSG or loaded with preservatives
As well as a lot of other things
FLUORIDE is bad too it combines with calcium to form insoluble calcium fluoride. Several investigators are concerned about the increasing amount of fluoride in water and overall food supply possibly decreasing calcium absorption in a population largely calcium deficient. Start by using natural toothpaste which is free of fluoride.
One of the worst things are silver fillings
Mercury in Amalgam

Overdosed America By Dr. John Abramson