Do Underarm Deodorants Pose A Breast Cancer Risk?

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Main Category: Breast Cancer
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 03 Mar 2006 - 18:00 PDT

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Dr. Phillippa Darbre, Reading University, UK, says there is more and more evidence that aluminium-based compounds found in deodorants break through the skin. She says chemicals in deodorants that mimic oestrogen raise a woman's breast cancer risk.

Dr. Darbre added "Since oestrogen is known to be involved in the development and progression of human breast cancer, any components of the environment that have oestrogenic activity and which can enter the human breast could theoretically influence a woman's risk of breast cancer."

According to Dr. Darbre, aluminium compounds in deodorants are a major source of human exposure to aluminium. When the deodorant (or antiperspirant) is sprayed into the armpit, exposure is very near to the breast.

The aluminium-based compound in deodorant mimics oestrogen.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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