There is no evidence that deodorant use causes breast cancer, despite a combination of factors that led to the myth. Doctors ask women not to wear deodorant during mammograms to avoid obscuring results, and parabens found in deodorants are weaker than estrogen and unlikely to cause cancer. Studies have not proven causality between antiperspirant use and breast cancer, and the FDA has no evidence of a link. Anyone concerned should speak to their doctor.
There is no direct connection between deodorant and breast cancer. This myth started through a combination of issues. Doctors asked women not to wear deodorant when showing up for mammograms, which the women may have interpreted as a link between deodorant use and breast cancer. High levels of parabens have also been found in cancerous tissue and deodorants contain parabens, so many extrapolated that the parabens may have entered the body through tiny cuts in the skin from shaving. Finally, some people believe that antiperspirants, not deodorants, can lead to the development of breast cancer because they prevent toxins from leaving the body through sweat.
These tentative links do not provide evidence that deodorant use leads to the development of breast cancer. Doctors routinely asked women to refrain from wearing deodorant when receiving a mammogram because the residue could obscure the results. Parabens are found in many different types of cosmetic and hygiene products, not just deodorants. The estrogen-like effect of parabens is much weaker than actual estrogen, making it unlikely that parabens can be blamed for breast cancer.
The thought that there was a link between deodorant and breast cancer quickly spread across the internet and through email. While researchers have noted connections, such as the fact that the earlier a woman started shaving and wearing antiperspirants, the younger she was when she developed breast cancer, these studies do not prove causality, meaning there is no evidence that wearing antiperspirants cause breast cancer to develop.
The final point to keep in mind is that the links between deodorant and breast cancer seem even weaker than the possible links between antiperspirant use and the development of breast cancer. Deodorant is made mostly of alcohol and kills the bacteria that cause sweat to smell. Antiperspirant is a combination of ingredients that block pores, preventing sweat from leaving the body. Most of the concerns about breast cancer developing from underarm hygiene focus on the use of antiperspirants rather than deodorants.
Both the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute cite that there are no conclusive studies indicating any link between antiperspirant or deodorant use and breast cancer. Even the Food and Drug Administration, which is responsible for regulating the cosmetics industry, has no evidence of a link between deodorant use and the development of breast cancer. Anyone in doubt should speak to their GP.
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