Antiperspirant Use Can Increase Breast Cancer Risk

Aluminum, a common ingredient added to antiperspirants to stop skin sweating, may be linked to breast cancer, a study by British scientists found.

Testing breast samples from 17 breast-cancer patients who had undergone mastectomies, researchers found that women who used antiperspirants had deposits of aluminum in their outer breast tissue. (Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry November 2007)

Aluminum is not normally found in the human body, and the researchers believe the metal is being absorbed from antiperspirant sprays and roll-ons. (Daily Mail September 3, 2007)

In fact, after a single underarm application of antiperspirant, about .012 percent of the aluminum may be absorbed. Other concerning sources of aluminum to humans are food, drinking water, contaminated air, industrial and medicinal exposure, vaccines, and even sunscreens. (Pharmacological Toxicology April, 2001;88(4):159-67)

Manufacturers use aluminum in deodorants because it is very effective in preventing sweating. The director-general of the Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association also said they do not believe that the aluminum in antiperspirants is absorbed by the body.

However, aluminum salts, which account for 25 percent of the volume of some antiperspirants, can mimic the hormone estrogen. Chemicals that imitate that hormone are known to affect breast cancer risk. Applying antiperspirants immediately after shaving will also result in a higher aluminum salt absorption rate due to damaged skin. (Journal of Applied Toxicology February 17, 2006)

Antiperspirants work by clogging, closing, or blocking the pores that release sweat under your arms — with the active ingredient being aluminum. This blocks one of your body’s routes for detoxification (releasing toxins via your underarm sweat).

Deodorants are not the same thing as antiperspirants, and may be less problematic, as they work by neutralizing the smell of your sweat and by antiseptic action against bacteria, but do not prevent sweating.

The Effects of Toxins on Your Body

Metals like arsenic, mercury, lead, aluminum and cadmium, which are prevalent in many areas of our environment, can accumulate in soft tissues of the body. A 2005 study in the British Medical Journal estimated that perhaps 75 percent of most cancers are caused by environmental and lifestyle factors, including exposure to chemicals. Another report by the Columbia University School of Public Health, estimated that 95 percent of cancer is caused by diet and environmental toxicity.

This is really not surprising when you consider that estimates show most North Americans have somewhere between 400 and 800 chemicals stored in their bodies, typically in fat cells.

A couple of years ago the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that only 28 common cosmetics and toiletries out of 7,500 had all of its ingredients fully tested for safety. If you want to learn about the potential toxicity of your cosmetics, review the EWG’s extensive “Skin Deep Report.” It allows you to search the products you use on a daily basis and find out how safe they really are.

Also, please read “Our Toxic World: A Wake Up Call.” The author, Dr. Doris Rapp, does a great job of uncovering the many ways we are exposed to toxic chemicals; how these affect our health and contribute to many chronic diseases.

It’s good to remember that most chemicals you put on your skin are absorbed quite efficiently into the bloodstream. So if you want to be safe, simply ditch your antiperspirant and deodorant and switch over to a natural brand from a local health food store.