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Vol. 06 Issue 2, Spring 2001

BCERF Research Project Leader Responds to Claim Concerning Antiperspirants and Breast cancer Risk
The Ribbon 

Suzanne M. Snedeker, Ph.D.
BCERF Research Project Leader

There has been a series of widely circulated emails that claim that use of antiperspirants is the major cause of breast cancer. I have extensively searched the scientific literature. I have not been able to locate scientific studies that support this claim. There are no published studies that have evaluated whether women who use antiperspirants have a higher risk of breast cancer than women who do not use antiperspirants. I have run literature searches on the active ingredients in antiperspirants (including aluminum chlorohydrate), and could not locate any studies that have shown that these ingredients cause breast tumors in animal tests. Also, there is no evidence that not perspiring is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer Using antiperspirants does not affect how the body breaks down toxins. The major organ that detoxifies chemicals is the liver. The major routes of excretion of toxins or their break down products are via the feces and urine. Again, we have not been able to locate any studies that support the claim that antiperspirants increase the risk of breast cancer.

Resources on This Topic on the Web

The American Cancer Society's response:
They agree that there is no evidence in the epidemiology literature that indicates that antiperspirants increase the risk of breast cancer.

The National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service's fact sheet on Antiperspirants/Deodorants and Breast Cancer Risk:
The scientists at the National Cancer Institute are not aware of studies linking use of these products to causing breast cancer.

The Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation's response:
This research foundation concludes that to date research has not linked antiperspirant use with a higher risk of breast cancer. The article is no longer available on their website.

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Last Update 05.06.03