Can antiperspirants really contribute to breast cancer?

Q: There is a wild rumor circulating the Web that antiperspirants (as opposed to deodorants) prohibit the body from exuding toxins, thereby contributing to breast cancer. Is this true?

A: I have heard this rumor as well, and it is completely unfounded as far as scientific evidence goes. It is totally based on conjecture and ideas – not fact or even sound fundamental logic.

That said, I think it does serve us to be creative and expansive in coming up with theories as to the cause of breast cancer. Clearly, there is a cause or causes that we are not recognizing.

The main risk factor for breast cancer is having a first degree relative with breast cancer. But that explains only one out of ten breast cancer cases. That means there are nine women with breast cancer out of every ten with other causes. Other risk factors include estrogen replacement therapy, excessive number of years menstruating, never having had a child, being overweight, excessive alcohol intake and possibly high fat diets and smoking.

Even if we take all those risk factors into account, we still do not have an explanation for most cases of breast cancer. So yes, let’s look at other possibilities – including pesticides and carcinogens in our environment; petroleum-based products in our water, air and food; plastics; additional dietary factors; stress; and maybe even antiperspirants. Only the commitment to health, more dollars spent on research will uncover the causes and promote preventive practices and solutions.

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