CVS Health and Coppertone also voluntarily stopped selling several sunscreen or after-sun care products due to similar findings. In fact, a quick scan of any of the Axe brand labels is a recipe for disaster. There is growing evidence that long-term use is linked to a number of neurological diseases, including dementia, autism, and Parkinsons disease. EWG studies show 34 Axe products contain formaldehyde releasers (19). The sunscreens tested by Valisure were only a tiny sample of the more than 11,000 registered sun care products on the market. Benzene is created by natural and man-made processes. These specks can look like microcalcifications, which are one of the things doctors look for as a possible sign of breast cancer. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA),many major brands of antiperspirants and deodorants do not currently contain parabens, although some might. All rights reserved. Scientists who theorize a possible link between antiperspirants and cancer say cancer-causing chemicals in the products may be absorbed through razor nicks from shaving the underarm. This page adheres to our medical and editorial policy and guidelines. COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE is a very toxic ingredient which has been linked to cancer in animal tests.The biggest danger of using a product with cocamidopropyl betaine is its potential contamination with nitrosamines. A number of other brands have not yet been recalled, including batches of Tag, Sure, Equate, Suave, Right Guard and Brut that had levels of benzene at or above 2 parts per million, said David Light, CEO and founder of Valisure, the independent lab that ran the tests and filed the petition. McGrath KG. Parabens are preservatives used by manufacturers in food and personal care products, including some deodorants and antiperspirants. Some scientists are concerned that parabens may also mimic the activity of estrogen in cells. People exposed to such formaldehyde-releasing ingredients may develop a formaldehyde allergy or an allergy to the ingredient itself and its decomposition products. More recently, a 2021 study found limited evidence that parabens and aluminum found in personal care products pose a health risk. Cosmetics companies often list the word fragrance or parfum on their products. According to the American Cancer Society, there is no strong evidence linking breast cancer to antiperspirant use. Whether you want to learn about treatment options, get advice on coping with side effects, or have questions about health insurance, were here to help. If your kidneys are not able to eliminate the aluminum because of decreased function, these products may not be safe for you. The American Cancer Society offers programs and services to help you during and after cancer treatment. These nodes are under the arm, in the upper outer quadrant of the breast, and near the collarbone. The relationship between use of aluminum-containing anti-perspirant and hair color with breast cancer. EBioMedicine. One study found that 0.012% of the aluminum in antiperspirants was absorbed. The aluminum content in antiperspirants should not affect your breast cancer risk. Here, learn what to expect during a mammogram and how to reduce any, Armpit lumps are usually harmless and caused by a swollen lymph node or gland. Some reports have suggested that these products contain harmful substances such as aluminum compounds and parabens that can be absorbed through the skin or enter the body through nicks caused by shaving. Nitrosamines are created when nitrosating agents are combined with amines. The studys authors claim that the aluminum in deodorant could cause changes to a persons DNA and genes that could play a role in developing breast cancer. Darbre PD. All Rights Reserved. The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit organization dedicated to educating consumers about health issues, put together an extensive database of the ingredients found in 62,338 different products. Over the years, claims have been made that deodorants or antiperspirants may cause cancer, specifically breast cancer, and a few studies have offered theories that seem to bolster the claims. Without knowing the source, there is no way to determine if it came from deodorants. by DailyHealthPost EditorialSeptember 13, 2016. J Natl Cancer Inst. We avoid using tertiary references. Antiperspirants use ingredients, usually aluminum-based, to block sweat glands, reducing the amount of perspiration released. Although there are no clear health risks from parabens in food, drugs, cosmetics, and skin care products, people concerned about being exposed to parabens might choose to avoid products containing them. Should I be concerned about aluminum in antiperspirants? This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Its unclear though how much of the aluminum in our products is absorbed into our bodies. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); February 17, 2019 1 comment, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE is a very toxic ingredient which has been linked to cancer in animal tests.The biggest danger of using a product with cocamidopropyl betaine is its, potential contamination with nitrosamines. Does Using Hair Dye Increase Your Breast Cancer Risk? Then your sweat releases an odor. Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (CIR). Darbre PD. Use of underarm cosmetic products in relation to risk of breast cancer: A case-control study. They simply mask formaldehyde by using formaldehyde releasers like DMDM hydantoin and Imidazolindinyl Urea, although these ingredients work just like formaldehyde to congeal and preserve their products. Some are bad for you. Cleveland Clinic 1995-2023. The short answer: Researchers havent found any compelling evidence to suggest they are. Unlike antiperspirants, deodorants don't contain aluminum. While parabens have been found in samples of breast tumors, the ACS says these results should not be a cause for concern because of the following: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises people to avoid wearing deodorants, powders, lotions, or perfume under the arm or on the breast on the day of a mammogram. Dtsch Arztebl Int. Can Deodorant Cause Breast Cancer, Kidney Disease, Allergies, Etc.? Using deodorant after shaving may lead to local irritation of the skin, but has not been linked to any serious conditions. (2020). One reason that people have believed that there is a connection between antiperspirant use and breast cancer is that many breast cancers start in breast tissue that is close to the underarms. Much of the research on aluminum and breast cancer is outdated. Unilever, which makes Suave, told CNN in an email: Unilever takes all safety concerns seriously, and we are conducting a robust investigation into the Valisure petitions assertions about two Suave antiperspirant aerosols.. Despite the aggressive marketing of natural products for women only, men could certainly benefit form using these products. SafeCosmetics.org Does using antiperspirant after shaving allow chemicals to enter the body from the armpit and increase breast cancer risk? When we identify drug quality lapses that pose potential risks for patients, we make every effort to understand the issues and provide our best recommendation to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH, is a freelance health writer with over a decade of experience working as a registered nurse in a variety of clinical settings. A variety of Old Spice and Secret brand aerosol sprays were voluntarily recalled after the manufacturer, Procter & Gamble, found the presence of a cancer-causing chemical, benzene, in some of its products. Most parabens have names containing the word paraben, making them easy to find. Why should people avoid deodorant before having a mammogram? Help us end cancer as we know it,for everyone. Sweat glands are located in the skin, not in the lymph nodes. Breast Cancer vs. Pimple Signs: What to Look For, Sidestream vs. These products have a simple goal: prevent body odor. These synthetic chemicals essentially have hormone-like effects on humans and wildlife that is exposed to them second hand. Additionally, a large systematic review from 2014 reviewed more than 460 studies addressing the potential health risks of aluminum products. Consult your physician or a qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health and well-being or on any opinions expressed within this website. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. You see, your skin easily absorbs aluminum ions. Never heard of spraying it in your armpits. One study found that 0.012% of the aluminum in antiperspirants was absorbed. It clings to the underarm to provide 24-hour wetness protection. Antiperspirants and breast cancer risk. all my articles in Mens Health, click here or photo below for Dense tissue is more likely to develop cancer, and it makes it harder to detect unusual growths during exams and mammograms.. Research. No matter what product you use under your arms, be sure to discuss any type of breakout, rash or skin irritation with your doctor. It can also cause an allergic reaction such as inflammation . I think theres good evidence that propellants are a significant source of this contamination but theres a variety of potential sources in the raw materials used to create the products as well, Light said. They claim that the chemicals can enter underarm lymph nodes, which are unable to excrete them through sweating. Med Hypotheses. Aluminum was discovered to be a neurotoxin as far back as 1886, yet we continue to use it. Men are much less likely than women to develop breast cancer, but this is mostly because men have much less breast tissue than women. Even more rancid than it already does. A subsequent study, published in 2006, also found no association between antiperspirant use and breast cancer risk, although it included only 54 women with breast cancer and 50 women without breast cancer (8). However, some armpit lumps can indicate a more serious condition, such, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Like deodorant. Cocamidopropyl betaine is the ingredient that makes certain Axe products foamy. Er, not quite. They block the activity of your natural hormones. Our team is made up of doctors andoncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing. Final amended report on the safety assessment of Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, and Benzylparaben as used in cosmetic products. According to the FDA, most major brands of deodorant and antiperspirants do not contain parabens. The use of antiperspirants had no association with the risk of breast cancer, while family history and oral contraceptives use were found to be associated, a separate 2006 study concluded. This metal can show up on mammograms as tiny white specks. Antiperspirant use and the risk of breast cancer. The National Cancer Institute notes that only a few studies have investigated theories that the ingredients in body odor-fighting cosmetics may increase the risk of breast cancer. Willhite CC, Karyakina NA, Yokel RA, et al. Impurities may be present in the manufacturing environment due to the use of certain chemicals, equipment or containers. Doru Paul, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hematology. 2013 Nov;128:257-61. doi: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2013.07.005. In recent years, theres been quite a bit of discussion about deodorants and antiperspirants and their relationship to breast cancer, says radiation oncologist Chirag Shah, MD. Thankfully, research has not found a causal relationship, but they did have some interesting findings. Other dangerous toxins found in most Axe products is a group of chemicals known as endocrine disrupting chemicals. The most highly contaminated two lots of an Old Spice antiperspirant called Pure Sport (Lots 11671458SQ and 11671458SB; UPC 012044001912) contained 17.7 and 17.4 average parts per million of benzene, said Valisure CEO David Light. This includes a large, carefully designed study comparing about 800 women with breast cancer and a similar number of women without the disease. A visual of the aerosol sprays included in voluntary antiperspirant Recall. And now, Procter & Gamble is voluntarily recalling 18 antiperspirant and deodorant sprays from its Secret and Old Spice brands some of which were listed in the Valisure report after internal testing also detected benzene, according to a November 23 press release . They claim. McGrath KG. Its really critically important to find these problems before they get on the shelves, Light added. 2017 Sep 29;114(39):653-659. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2017.0653. Human epidemiological studies have found no association between the use of antiperspirants or deodorants and breast cancer. The National Library of Medicines Household Products Database has information about the ingredients used in most major brands of deodorants and antiperspirants. can. By doing so, you could bring the entire bathroom air to 15 times the limit for what the EPA has said is an increased risk for leukemia, Light said. Eur J Cancer Prev. Parabens have been raised as a possible health concern because lab studies have shown that they have weak estrogen-like properties. Its helpful to remember that the American Cancer Society stated that there is no such risks. The lymph nodes in our bodies help clear out bacteria, viruses, and other possible threats, but the lymph nodes do not release waste or toxins through sweating. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), methylisothiazolinone is classed as a pesticide. Answers to 10 Common Questions About Breast Cancer, The 15 Best Clinical Strength Deodorants and Antiperspirants of 2023, Tested and Reviewed. Breaking a Sweat: Why You Sweat and What It Says About Your Health. Some researchers have theorized that these aluminum compounds might be absorbed by the skin and cause changes in estrogen receptors of breast cells. Antiperspirants also contain aluminum salts that block our sweat glands when they dissolve on the skin. Do antiperspirants keep a person from sweating cancer-causing toxins out through their underarm lymph nodes? These are chemicals that mimic human hormone function, which confuses the body. National Cancer Institute. The number of breast cancers in the upper outer part of the breast is in proportion to the amount of breast tissue in that area. The EWG rates it overall as a 7 on their scale of risk, 10 being the highest. Is Deodorant Harmful for Your Health? Livestrong.com They also list this chemical as a known human reproductive toxicant.. The authors claimed that by inhibiting lymphatic drainage, bras trapped toxins in the breast tissue, which caused cancer. Deodorants work by blocking body odor with a presumably more pleasant scent. Another name for that is propylene oxide, which is a probable human carcinogen. Whether you or someone you love has cancer, knowing what to expect can help you cope. Benzene should not be used in the manufacture of drug substances or products because it is a class one solvent with unacceptable toxicity, according to the FDA. Nature Medicine. Like any other daily hygiene habit, rolling on a stick of deodorant after a shower or throughout the day for a quick refresher has become commonplace. Deodorant use and breast cancer risk. I suggest finding a natural deodorant with no aluminum, and no other chemicals.