Why Antiperspirants Do Not Cause Breast Cancer
Cara’s question: I read at That’s Fit that there’s a new study shows a link between deodorants and breast cancer. You’ve previously told us that’s not true. Who should we believe?
The Left Brain explains:
The article in question was published in the British Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry. The CTPA (the UK-based Cosmetic, Toiletries and Perfume Association) previewed the article before it was published and suggested the paper should not be published until subjected to independent review. However, the editors of the Journal elected to publish the article without further review.
Here’s a quick recap of the CTPA’s objections to the article (quoted from a CTPA press release, which explains the British spellings):
Aluminum comes from many sources
“Aluminium is the third most naturally abundant element in the environment, found in food, water, pharmaceuticals as well as a wide range of consumer products. One of the authors of the report is quoted in the press as saying “We don’t know that aluminium originated from antiperspirant but one can put two and two together and make a guess on that….”. This is a highly irresponsible remark which could cause great distress and unnecessary worry amongst users of antiperspirant deodorants. The overwhelming mass of safety data available does not indicate any risk of harmful effects from using any cosmetic products that contain aluminium.”
Aluminum doesn’t penetrate skin
“Antiperspirants and deodorants are designed to work on the surface of the skin, and so the products would not work if there was a significant amount absorbed. Published literature and industry in-house studies demonstrate a negligible potential for aluminium salts to penetrate the skin. If a small amount were absorbed, this would be tiny in comparison to the amounts we consume in the foods we eat daily.”
Cancer researchers can’t find a mechanism
“A number of leading cancer research organisations have stated there is no plausible biological mechanism by which antiperspirants could cause breast cancer. Indeed in the past, national cancer charities and other authorities (including Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Cancer Research UK) have seen false allegations as detracting from the search for the true causative factors or as diverting attention away from taking action on those factors known to be associated with a risk of breast cancer.”
The US Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrance Association echoes these points and says that this study is not conclusive and neither is it considered in any way a clinical result by either the industry or regulatory authorities.” So the debate continues…
Still worried about your antiperspirant? You could buy this aluminum free crystal deodorant instead. It won’t work as well as an antiperspirant but it might buy you some piece of mind.
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TailFeather Says:
Being epileptic, if it were possible to absorb that much aluminum into my body I’d be having seizures all the time. Cuz I’m not going without antiperspirant!
Karen Says:
I made the mistake of clicking on the picture and making it large.
How about we switch “hair zones” and talk about her obvious eyelash extensions instead?
Joanne Says:
well then why is they find so much aluminum in breast cancer tumors? I dont’ believe this. I think until it is proven safe you are better off avoiding them.
Carla Carter Says:
I am living with stage 4 breast cancer and have had heavy metal testing. I had 10 times what is considered “normal” levels of aluminum in my body. Coincidence? Maybe, but I’m not taking any chances when it comes to using products with aluminum. Think about it; starting as early as 9 or 10 we coat our underarms with aluminum containing anti-perspirants in this country and we have a very high rate of breast cancer. In countries where anti-perspirant use is not as common they have much lower breast cancer rates.
Jessica D. Says:
Even if aluminum is safe…what about keeping an eye on all the other ingredients such as parabens and non-naturally sourced preservatives? That can at least lighten some of our worries… remember a knowledgeable consumer (who at least reads articles, even if they end up contradicting each other) is a safer (there’s no such thing as safe these days) consumer.
Left Brain Says:
Jessica, what proof do you have that naturally sourced preservatives are safer? All preservatives work because they kill cells. It doesn’t matter whether it is natural or not.
If you want to be a completely safe consumer stop using any antiperspirant or deodorant. Sure you’ll smell bad but you won’t be exposing yourself to chemicals, any of which (natural or not) have the potential to cause you harm.
Of course, you can use chemicals and cosmetics safely as people have for thousands of years.
Left Brain Says:
Joanne,
You can’t prove that ANYTHING won’t cause cancer. It’s impossible to prove a negative. All we can do is to collect data and make a judgment based on that data. At the moment the best scientific data (not anecdotal stories) suggests that Aluminum in your AP/DOs do not cause a problem. It is up to the people who say they do to prove that they are right. So far, they haven’t.
Jenny P Says:
Regarding the question of why aluminum tends to show up in tumors…correlation does not equal causation. Perhaps tumor cells there tend to attract certain types of particles (like aluminum) while they are misbehaving in other ways?
boo Says:
As far as the crystal deodorant goes, it may not work well as an antiperspirant, but it does a fine job as a deodorant (which is all it claims to be). I don’t use one because I’m afraid of some imaginary cancer risk , but rather because they work great with no residue and they seem to last forever.
Josie Says:
The burden of proof is on the manufaturers of deodorants. I don’t buy the common ones anymore. There are too many studies saying that aluminum is found in breast tumors and concentrated near the arm pit.
Deadly Beauty: The Secrets of Cosmetics Past | The Beauty Brains Says:
[...] Brains have also discussed the controversy over aluminum in antiperspirants. The flappers had no problem working around that issue; they chose to simply embalm themselves [...]