Every time you turn around, it seems something else is blamed for causing cancer—including a link between deodorant and breast cancer. Breast cancer is among the scariest simply because it’s the most common—and it kills more than 40,000 women a year.
“There is understandably a large interest in trying to identify ‘modifiable risk factors’ or environmental exposures that could be linked to breast cancer risk,” says Arpana Naik, M.D., a breast surgeon at the Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute. “If a specific exposure could be identified, then in theory, avoiding it or modifying one’s behavior could reduce one’s chance of breast cancer.”
In other words, it would be a major relief if we could just find something to blame and then stay really far away from that something forever. One supposed culprit that keeps popping up online is the use of deodorants and antiperspirants as a cause of breast cancer. But is there really anything to that worry? Here’s what scientists do and don’t know about deodorant and breast cancer.
You can see that for yourself right here. And we quote: “Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a part of the National Institutes of Health, are not aware of any conclusive evidence linking the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants and the subsequent development of breast cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates food, cosmetics, medicines, and medical devices, also does not have any evidence or research data that ingredients in underarm antiperspirants or deodorants cause cancer.”
But that doesn’t mean it’s always been a silly concern to dismiss. “There may have been some kind of legitimate concern at one time with deodorant,” says Rulla Tamimi, Sc.D., an associate professor of medicine and of epidemiology at Harvard Medical School. “But the weight of evidence is minimal, and really none of it in humans is very thorough.”
According to the NCI, these known risk factors are:
- Older age
- A personal history of breast cancer or benign (noncancer) breast disease
- A family history of breast cancer
- Inherited gene changes (such as mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, or what people (imprecisely) refer to as “the breast cancer genes“)
- Dense breasts
- Exposure of breast tissue to estrogen made in the body
- Taking hormone therapy for symptoms of menopause
- Radiation therapy to the breast or chest
- Obesity
- Drinking alcohol
- Being white
What to Know About the Various Stages of Hidradenitis Suppurativa
If your goal is to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer, the best place to start is by quitting drinking and and keeping your weight under control. Also, talk to your doctor about your own particular family history and risk factors, and determine a potential prevention or early detection plan if it makes sense. Doing those things will go farther than anything else in helping you stay healthy, or at least in helping you get the treatment you need when it can be most effective.
More on this in a bit.
In 2001, a researcher named Philippa Darbre proposed that “underarm cosmetics” might contribute to cancer. She also published a study showing that more breast cancer occurred in the upper outer quarter of the breast—the area closest to the armpit. She has since published dozens of papers based on laboratory studies (i.e. cells in petri dishes) that claim to support her hypothesis. Another researcher who agrees with her, Kris McGrath at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine, pointed out that an increase in antiperspirant use mirrors the rise in breast and prostate cancers.
Darbre was right that more cancer shows up in that upper outer quadrant first—around half start there, actually. But breast tissue isn’t spread equally among the four quadrants of the breast. The upper outer one has the most breast tissue. When you consider the greater amount of breast tissue in that area, the proportion of cancers that show up there is what you’d expect.
As for the increase in deodorants/antiperspirants and breast cancer, lots of things have increased over that time. Like TVs. Or women wearing pants. It’s possible to match up some pretty crazy correlations that obviously aren’t related. And other increases probably have played a big or small role, like birth control pills, more use of hormone replacement therapy after menopause, having fewer children, obesity rates and living longer. Plus, greater awareness and better tests have led to better detection of cancer. So a correlation isn’t enough evidence on its own.
But, can I ask you a simple question – did you know there are other cool uses for deodorants that have nothing to do with your underarms.
Well, of course, you just have to take a look at the article below and find out more about! In this article we’re going to show you amazing deodorant uses, which you’ve probably never heard off! Here’s what you need to know:
Keep Sunglasses from Slipping
Yes, this is very useful, especially if your sunglasses keep sliding down the bridge of your nose due to sweat! Here’s what you need to do – just try rubbing antiperspirant on it. This may come as no surprise, but antiperspirants come in at number one in the fight against unruly sweat! So no matter how hot it gets outside this summer, your fashionable eye rims will stay put.
No More Skin Chafing
No more skin chaffing – we all know that the sweat pooling underneath the bust line or from crossing your legs can be uncomfortable to say the least! Red rashes develop underneath your breasts when the skin folds’ trap moisture. It can also become a breeding ground for bacteria and infections.
So, in order to stop that from happening, you should try this simple (but effective trick) – just apply antiperspirant underneath your breasts and behind your knees to keep those areas dry and sweat-free! You’ll be amazed by the results!
Resolve Stinky Feet
Did you know that the same deodorant that keeps your pits smelling sweet can also do the same for stinky feet? The experts say that our feet actually have 250,000 sweat glands and can sweat more than any other part of the body.
odorant will work best in this case. Just apply liberally to your feet, including the undersides, and in your shoes where odor can also accumulate.
Get A Blemish-Free Face
You can also use antiperspirant deodorant to dry out those unsightly blemishes on your face! Well, to be honest with you, it’s not the most ideal way to get rid of pimples, but it does the job in a pinch if you don’t have anything else available. The same antiperspirant action that keeps your armpits dry will also work to dry out blemishes.
Prevent Pesky Blisters
We all know that large blisters are common in people who exercise or work every day, such as: athletes, hikers, or if you happen to be breaking in a new pair of shoes. Constant friction of skin against the surface of the shoe can cause blisters to form.
The experts say that blisters are worsened by moisture and friction. Antiperspirants work great at preventing them due to its ability to soak up icky sweat.
Keep Hair from Sticking
I really think that the hot and humid weather is the worst thing, when it comes to hair. Not only can the humidity cause fizziness, but sweat around your hairline and the back of your neck can cause your hair to stick to you.
ut, you shouldn’t be worried because an application of clear antiperspirant around your hairline can solve that problem in seconds. This trick is definitely a keeper for your upcoming summer vacation!
Soothe Razor Burns
We all love the hot summer days, especially when it’s time to put on a swimsuit and spend some time lounging around the pool or ocean. Which means that getting rid of stray hairs around the bikini line is something you have to do! But, unfortunately, sometimes it can leave you with red and itchy razor burns.
The experts say that unscented Dove stick deodorant applied to your bikini area will keep it dry and prevent bumps from forming. Be sure to get the antiperspirant variety to prevent sweat.
Stop Back Sweat
How to stop back sweat – well, we all know that sitting in a chair for too long in hot weather can ruin a nice summer dress by causing a large sweat spot to form in the lower back area. However, there is a brilliant solution! It’s very simple – you just have to rub some clear antiperspirant along your lower back.
How this works – well, the aluminum chloride will plug the pores in your skin and prevent your back from sweating. Try swiping a thin layer of antiperspirant on your back before bed, as this can be more effective at stopping excess moisture from causing havoc the next day.
Prevent nocturnal sweat outbreaks
Yes, I really think that many people have experienced this before! We all know that feeling when you wake up in a puddle of sweat, after a hot summer night. Your antiperspirant deodorant will help you in this case. Just put some on your back. However, if you sweat heavily on a regularly basis, you should see a doctor. Sometimes diseases can be the cause of nocturnal sweating.
Slip into Skinny Jeans
Skinny jeans – well, I really think that many people around the world may need a helping hand to slip into them. That’s where deodorant can rescue you from your fashion emergency! Try rubbing some solid deodorant along your legs first. It will provide a little bit of slippery action that will help your jeans slide right on. We really hope you enjoyed this article and don’t forget to share it with your friends and family. Thank You and have a good one.