Rumor:		Antiperspirants and Breast Cancer
Mayo Clinic Response
Current Question & Answer
Category: Gynecology
Topic: Antiperspirants and breast cancer
Q. I've received numerous e-mails warning of the dangers of using anti-perspirants because they can lead to breast cancer in women. Is this true? Should I switch to just deodorant? Michelle / Calif.
A. The recent, widespread circulation of e-mails claiming that antiperspirants cause breast cancer has fueled an unfounded health myth. The e-mails also may include a claim that shaving the armpits results in razor nicks and subsequent absorption of cancer-causing substances from the antiperspirant.
The American Cancer Society states that no epidemiological studies suggest a link between the use of antiperspirants and breast cancer risk.
The e-mails may include a false assertion that antiperspirants keep a person from "sweating out toxins," resulting in the spread of cancer-causing toxins via the lymph nodes.
Sweat glands are not connected to lymph nodes. The majority of cancer-causing substances are removed by the kidneys and the liver. Lymph nodes may help to clear some toxins from the body, but they do not release these toxins through sweating.
The e-mails also may include a claim that the reason most breast cancers occur in the upper, outer quadrant of the breast is related to antiperspirant use and underarm shaving. There is no evidence to support this. In fact, most breast cancers occur in the upper, outer quadrant because this is where most of the breast tissue is found relative to the other quadrants of the breast.
You do not need to worry about switching antiperspirants. Antiperspirants are rigorously tested before being marketed, and require Food and Drug Administration approval.
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