Anti-perspirants and breast cancer?
Original post by Community Moderator Ellen:
Does anybody here have information on a linkage between using anti-perspirants and breast cancer risks? Where can I get information for or against this argument?
Signature
Ellen Schnakenberg
WEGO Health Community Moderator
Headache and Migraine
Response by PaulaWKY:
Here is some links I found on the National Cancer Institute Website. I’m sure there are plenty more but here is a start.
Antiperspirants/Deodorants and Breast Cancer
Antiperspirants and Breast Cancer
Signature
Paula W.
Community Moderator
ADHD, Autism, Cancer, Parenting & Children’s Health, Diet, Weight Loss and Nutrition Communities
Response by Julia:
About 2 years ago I decided to try a deodorant from Kiss My Face (like liquid rock) from a natural food/health store. I was skeptical, but wanted to give it a try because of the talked-about risks of antiperspirants. Plus, I know that it’s healthy to perspire, so that’s why I wanted to try just a deodorant, versus an antiperspirant.
Well, I’ve been using “natural” deodorant ever since! In fact, I was in New York City this past July, and I wore a regular antiperspirant because we were outside a lot, then switched to my “natural” deodorant. It worked every bit as well! And I love that I can wear it all day, and the next morning, it still doesn’t stink! It’s amazing how effective it really is, at least for me. I know it may not work for some, but I’ve no inclination to go back to regular antiperspirants.
Now I just want to try different brands, like the interesting looking Liquid Rock and regular Rock. The stuff I use it liquid, but that little rock that you dampen looks intriguing!
Signature
Julia Temlyn
WEGO Health Community Moderator
Skin & Beauty, Women’s Health, Sleep Problems, and Pregnancy & Infertility
Response by PaulaWKY:
That’s interesting Julia. I have never heard of what your talking about. I went on the website and took a look and its not much more expensive than regular deodorant. I only saw the roll-on and stick deodorant (didn’t see the rock your talking about). Nice alternative though we don’t have those kinds of stores here that sale products like these (very irritating). At least you can buy it online if you don’t have a store local to you that sales things like this (only downside is shipping costs). I don’t know if it would work for me or not. I’m not a heavy perspirer by nature anyway, so maybe it would. Thanks for bringing this up as a good alternative. I might have to check it out smile
Signature
Paula W.
Community Moderator
ADHD, Autism, Cancer, Parenting & Children’s Health, Diet, Weight Loss and Nutrition Communities
Response by Jennifer Cochran, BS:
I have been using aluminum free deoderant for the past two years. The brand I love is Adidas. It truly works AND there are no more icky yellow underarms on my white t-shirts.
Signature
Jennifer Cochran, BS
Response by Usha Srinivasan, PhD:
Julia - 18 September 2007 04:27 PM
A I know it may not work for some, but I’ve no inclination to go back to regular antiperspirants.
I’m one of those for whom it doesn’t work. I have sensitive skin so I have been exploring other options more to prevent itching and redness and not because I was aware of any link to breast cancer. I was really excited to try the rock but it didn’t work!
I did find an all natural, home made deodorant at a fair (La Diva Bella brand, if you’re interested) and it works great. Should have stocked up.
I found a link that talks about aluminum and breast cancer. Al affects estrogen activity (good to know) but they haven’t proved a real link yet.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/03/01/health/webmd/main1361403....
Signature
Usha Srinivasan,
WEGO Health Expert
Response by Julia:
PaulaWKY - 18 September 2007 05:12 PM
That’s interesting Julia. I have never heard of what your talking about. I went on the website and took a look and its not much more expensive than regular deodorant. I only saw the roll-on and stick deodorant (didn’t see the rock your talking about). Nice alternative though we don’t have those kinds of stores here that sale products like these (very irritating). At least you can buy it online if you don’t have a store local to you that sales things like this (only downside is shipping costs). I don’t know if it would work for me or not. I’m not a heavy perspirer by nature anyway, so maybe it would. Thanks for bringing this up as a good alternative. I might have to check it out smile
This is the stuff that I use, Kiss My Face Liquid Rock, in Lavender. Kiss My Face also has an Active Enzyme Stick Deodorant, if you don’t like liquids. When I first tried it, all I saw was the liquid one, but I may try to stick at some point, just for kicks. I really love this stuff, though.
The rock deodorant I mentioned was this: Crystal Body Deodorant. There are many brands, including Crystal Rock, among others. I can’t remember the one that I always see at Whole Foods, but try doing a search for natural deodorant or rock deodorant.
Sorry I didn’t clarify that earlier. I don’t think Kiss My Face has a “rock” type deodorant.
Signature
Julia Temlyn
WEGO Health Community Moderator
Skin & Beauty, Women’s Health, Sleep Problems, and Pregnancy & Infertility
Response by Amanda Dameron, MS:
I’ve tried the crystal rock deodorant, and I am a big fan of Adidas’ aluminum-free deodorant as well! I found that when I used these products, I never got any of those little bumps or ingrown hairs that you sometimes get from shaving. Sadly, they tend to stop working for me fairly quickly. I’ve found some success in compromising and using them mostly in cooler months, but using “regular” deodorant when it’s warmer, or even only using antiperspirant every other day.
Wish I had better recommendations! I’d love to go without aluminum entirely. But who wants to alienate the neighborhood in the process… smile
Signature
Amanda Dameron, MS
Response by Community Producer Marie:
Thanks for posting this link Usha, I feel a lot better now!
A number of years ago, my mom tried to switch all of us to the rock because she’d read about a possible link between aluminum and breast cancer, but I think she’s the only one who stuck with it. It just didn’t work for me.
It seems like there are more and more things out there that may cause cancer, so I’m curious as to how people deal with that information and what kinds of changes they make, if any at all. Obviously, many people give up smoking because of the high risk of developing lung cancer, but what about things that are less established as carcinogenic?
Usha Srinivasan - 15 October 2007 01:43 PM
Julia - 18 September 2007 04:27 PM
A I know it may not work for some, but I’ve no inclination to go back to regular antiperspirants.
I’m one of those for whom it doesn’t work. I have sensitive skin so I have been exploring other options more to prevent itching and redness and not because I was aware of any link to breast cancer. I was really excited to try the rock but it didn’t work!
I did find an all natural, home made deodorant at a fair (La Diva Bella brand, if you’re interested) and it works great. Should have stocked up.
I found a link that talks about aluminum and breast cancer. Al affects estrogen activity (good to know) but they haven’t proved a real link yet.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/03/01/health/webmd/main1361403....
Signature
Marie, WEGO Health Staff
Community Producer
Response by SarahLiz:
I am jealous of you ladies who have found either natural deodorants or even not-so-natural antiperspirants that work well for you. I have tried essentially every brand available out there and will still sweat through them. I live with hyperhidrosis - “abnormally increased perspiration.” It’s fun. /sarcasm
Right now I have no less than six different brands & types of deodorants & antiperspirants in my house. Depending on what I’m wearing, whether I’ve recently shaved, which stuff I used the day before, or the predicted temperature outside, I switch types daily. I’ve used the regular morning-time stuff, the put on the evening stuff, the “oh-my-gosh-my-armpit-is-on-fire” stuff, and I’ve even tried going au natural in hopes that my body would just be normal. Nope. Even as a vehement anti-botox-ist (new religion, anyone?) I have considered having my armpits shot up with toxins to prevent sweating through my shirts. I’m not going to do it, but I’ve read a lot about it.
Because of this lovely hyperhidrosis, I have talked with my physician about the risk of continually blocking my sweat glands with antiperspirants and she has told me multiple times that there is not a proven connection between the two. There may be a hint of aluminum acting like estrogen in to a woman’s body, but studies still fall short of proving that regular antiperspirant use poses a cancer risk.
To help the original poster with her question, I found a couple more links about the connection (or lack thereof):
Antiperspirants DO NOT Cause Breast Cancer - according to BreastCan...
Snopes.com addresses the urban legend of antiperspirant use leading...
A Naturopath Speaks on the Lack of Connection
WebMD - Antiperspirant Chemical Found in Breast Tumor - this article is three years old, but still interesting nonetheless.
I hope this helps.
Signature
~ Sarah
WEGO Health Mental Health & Women’s Health Community Leader
Does anybody here have information on a linkage between using anti-perspirants and breast cancer risks? Where can I get information for or against this argument?
Signature
Ellen Schnakenberg
WEGO Health Community Moderator
Headache and Migraine
Response by PaulaWKY:
Here is some links I found on the National Cancer Institute Website. I’m sure there are plenty more but here is a start.
Antiperspirants/Deodorants and Breast Cancer
Antiperspirants and Breast Cancer
Signature
Paula W.
Community Moderator
ADHD, Autism, Cancer, Parenting & Children’s Health, Diet, Weight Loss and Nutrition Communities
Response by Julia:
About 2 years ago I decided to try a deodorant from Kiss My Face (like liquid rock) from a natural food/health store. I was skeptical, but wanted to give it a try because of the talked-about risks of antiperspirants. Plus, I know that it’s healthy to perspire, so that’s why I wanted to try just a deodorant, versus an antiperspirant.
Well, I’ve been using “natural” deodorant ever since! In fact, I was in New York City this past July, and I wore a regular antiperspirant because we were outside a lot, then switched to my “natural” deodorant. It worked every bit as well! And I love that I can wear it all day, and the next morning, it still doesn’t stink! It’s amazing how effective it really is, at least for me. I know it may not work for some, but I’ve no inclination to go back to regular antiperspirants.
Now I just want to try different brands, like the interesting looking Liquid Rock and regular Rock. The stuff I use it liquid, but that little rock that you dampen looks intriguing!
Signature
Julia Temlyn
WEGO Health Community Moderator
Skin & Beauty, Women’s Health, Sleep Problems, and Pregnancy & Infertility
Response by PaulaWKY:
That’s interesting Julia. I have never heard of what your talking about. I went on the website and took a look and its not much more expensive than regular deodorant. I only saw the roll-on and stick deodorant (didn’t see the rock your talking about). Nice alternative though we don’t have those kinds of stores here that sale products like these (very irritating). At least you can buy it online if you don’t have a store local to you that sales things like this (only downside is shipping costs). I don’t know if it would work for me or not. I’m not a heavy perspirer by nature anyway, so maybe it would. Thanks for bringing this up as a good alternative. I might have to check it out smile
Signature
Paula W.
Community Moderator
ADHD, Autism, Cancer, Parenting & Children’s Health, Diet, Weight Loss and Nutrition Communities
Response by Jennifer Cochran, BS:
I have been using aluminum free deoderant for the past two years. The brand I love is Adidas. It truly works AND there are no more icky yellow underarms on my white t-shirts.
Signature
Jennifer Cochran, BS
Response by Usha Srinivasan, PhD:
Julia - 18 September 2007 04:27 PM
A I know it may not work for some, but I’ve no inclination to go back to regular antiperspirants.
I’m one of those for whom it doesn’t work. I have sensitive skin so I have been exploring other options more to prevent itching and redness and not because I was aware of any link to breast cancer. I was really excited to try the rock but it didn’t work!
I did find an all natural, home made deodorant at a fair (La Diva Bella brand, if you’re interested) and it works great. Should have stocked up.
I found a link that talks about aluminum and breast cancer. Al affects estrogen activity (good to know) but they haven’t proved a real link yet.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/03/01/health/webmd/main1361403....
Signature
Usha Srinivasan,
WEGO Health Expert
Response by Julia:
PaulaWKY - 18 September 2007 05:12 PM
That’s interesting Julia. I have never heard of what your talking about. I went on the website and took a look and its not much more expensive than regular deodorant. I only saw the roll-on and stick deodorant (didn’t see the rock your talking about). Nice alternative though we don’t have those kinds of stores here that sale products like these (very irritating). At least you can buy it online if you don’t have a store local to you that sales things like this (only downside is shipping costs). I don’t know if it would work for me or not. I’m not a heavy perspirer by nature anyway, so maybe it would. Thanks for bringing this up as a good alternative. I might have to check it out smile
This is the stuff that I use, Kiss My Face Liquid Rock, in Lavender. Kiss My Face also has an Active Enzyme Stick Deodorant, if you don’t like liquids. When I first tried it, all I saw was the liquid one, but I may try to stick at some point, just for kicks. I really love this stuff, though.
The rock deodorant I mentioned was this: Crystal Body Deodorant. There are many brands, including Crystal Rock, among others. I can’t remember the one that I always see at Whole Foods, but try doing a search for natural deodorant or rock deodorant.
Sorry I didn’t clarify that earlier. I don’t think Kiss My Face has a “rock” type deodorant.
Signature
Julia Temlyn
WEGO Health Community Moderator
Skin & Beauty, Women’s Health, Sleep Problems, and Pregnancy & Infertility
Response by Amanda Dameron, MS:
I’ve tried the crystal rock deodorant, and I am a big fan of Adidas’ aluminum-free deodorant as well! I found that when I used these products, I never got any of those little bumps or ingrown hairs that you sometimes get from shaving. Sadly, they tend to stop working for me fairly quickly. I’ve found some success in compromising and using them mostly in cooler months, but using “regular” deodorant when it’s warmer, or even only using antiperspirant every other day.
Wish I had better recommendations! I’d love to go without aluminum entirely. But who wants to alienate the neighborhood in the process… smile
Signature
Amanda Dameron, MS
Response by Community Producer Marie:
Thanks for posting this link Usha, I feel a lot better now!
A number of years ago, my mom tried to switch all of us to the rock because she’d read about a possible link between aluminum and breast cancer, but I think she’s the only one who stuck with it. It just didn’t work for me.
It seems like there are more and more things out there that may cause cancer, so I’m curious as to how people deal with that information and what kinds of changes they make, if any at all. Obviously, many people give up smoking because of the high risk of developing lung cancer, but what about things that are less established as carcinogenic?
Usha Srinivasan - 15 October 2007 01:43 PM
Julia - 18 September 2007 04:27 PM
A I know it may not work for some, but I’ve no inclination to go back to regular antiperspirants.
I’m one of those for whom it doesn’t work. I have sensitive skin so I have been exploring other options more to prevent itching and redness and not because I was aware of any link to breast cancer. I was really excited to try the rock but it didn’t work!
I did find an all natural, home made deodorant at a fair (La Diva Bella brand, if you’re interested) and it works great. Should have stocked up.
I found a link that talks about aluminum and breast cancer. Al affects estrogen activity (good to know) but they haven’t proved a real link yet.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/03/01/health/webmd/main1361403....
Signature
Marie, WEGO Health Staff
Community Producer
Response by SarahLiz:
I am jealous of you ladies who have found either natural deodorants or even not-so-natural antiperspirants that work well for you. I have tried essentially every brand available out there and will still sweat through them. I live with hyperhidrosis - “abnormally increased perspiration.” It’s fun. /sarcasm
Right now I have no less than six different brands & types of deodorants & antiperspirants in my house. Depending on what I’m wearing, whether I’ve recently shaved, which stuff I used the day before, or the predicted temperature outside, I switch types daily. I’ve used the regular morning-time stuff, the put on the evening stuff, the “oh-my-gosh-my-armpit-is-on-fire” stuff, and I’ve even tried going au natural in hopes that my body would just be normal. Nope. Even as a vehement anti-botox-ist (new religion, anyone?) I have considered having my armpits shot up with toxins to prevent sweating through my shirts. I’m not going to do it, but I’ve read a lot about it.
Because of this lovely hyperhidrosis, I have talked with my physician about the risk of continually blocking my sweat glands with antiperspirants and she has told me multiple times that there is not a proven connection between the two. There may be a hint of aluminum acting like estrogen in to a woman’s body, but studies still fall short of proving that regular antiperspirant use poses a cancer risk.
To help the original poster with her question, I found a couple more links about the connection (or lack thereof):
Antiperspirants DO NOT Cause Breast Cancer - according to BreastCan...
Snopes.com addresses the urban legend of antiperspirant use leading...
A Naturopath Speaks on the Lack of Connection
WebMD - Antiperspirant Chemical Found in Breast Tumor - this article is three years old, but still interesting nonetheless.
I hope this helps.
Signature
~ Sarah
WEGO Health Mental Health & Women’s Health Community Leader
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