A neurotoxin is a substance that causes damage to nerves or nerve tissue. But men, that should be the least of our concerns with this product line. Information about risk factors for breast cancer is available through NCIs Cancer Information Service at 18004CANCER (18004226237). You can also talk to your doctor, nurse, or other health care providers. Most nitrosamines are highly carcinogenic. Advertisement These specks can look like microcalcifications, which are one of the things doctors look for as a possible sign of breast cancer. 2005;99:1912-1919. Aluminum concentrations in central and peripheral areas of malignant breast lesions do not differ from those in normal breast tissues. Estrogen is a female hormone known to cause breast cells (both normal and cancer cells) to grow. Can spray deodorant give you cancer? We're improving the lives of cancer patients and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. The actual amount of aluminum absorbed would be much less than what would be expected to be absorbed from the foods a person eats during the same time. These are chemicals that mimic human hormone function, which confuses the body. EWG studies show that 14 Axe products, typically all of their antiperspirants and deodorants, contain aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly (13). An older 2005 study suggests that because a persons skin absorbs aluminum, it may play a role in breast cancer development. It is highly acutely toxic when applied dermally or to the eye and is considered to be corrosive. (5). Parabens in Cosmetics. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Because estrogen can promote the growth of both cancer and non-cancer breast cells, some scientists have suggested that using the aluminum-based compounds in antiperspirants may be a risk factor for the development of breast cancer. Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Axe products are loaded with endocrine disrupting chemicals. She has practicedin a variety of settings including pediatrics, oncology, chronic pain, and public health. Accessed at https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/parabens-cosmetics on October 10, 2022. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. and are paraben-free. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. The authors claimed that by inhibiting lymphatic drainage, bras trapped toxins in the breast tissue, which caused cancer. Exposure to high levels of benzene in the air can cause death, and if you spill benzene on your skin, it may cause redness and sores, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Deodorant - Penn Medicine EBioMedicine. When someone applies products with parabens to their skin, a small amount may absorb into the skin and reach the bloodstream. PPG-14 bustyl ether is also a toluene derivative a class of chemicals linked to reproductive and developmental toxicity. I think there are other things we should probably be more concerned about when it comes to breast cancer risk. Updated These products have a simple goal: prevent body odor. Is There a Link Between Vitamin D and Breast Cancer? New Study Found Carcinogen Benzene In 59 Deodorant and - Shape The routine is similar for many of us: Wake up, brush our teeth, take a shower, and then, we may reach for that stick of deodorant or antiperspirant. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. US Food and Drug Administration. Antiperspirant use and the risk of breast cancer. A visual of the aerosol sprays included in voluntary antiperspirant Recall. They also contain PPG-14 butyl ether, a known carcinogen and endocrine disruptor as well as PEG-8 distearate, also linked to cancer. Is avoiding the propellants in spray products the answer to reducing risk? Parabens can be absorbed through the skin. But it isnt clear that much aluminum is absorbed through the skin. Salt And Vinegar Zucchini Chips A Healthier Snack! Food Chem Toxicol. Try our Risk Management Tool. Consumer products containing parabens are required to list them as ingredients. All rights reserved. Read on to find out. Its also important to follow recommended screening guidelines, which can help detect certain cancers early. Deodorant use and breast cancer risk. (2008). Biomonitoring Summary: Parabens. 5 Surprising Hazards of Using Deodorant (and the Solution!) The aluminum content in antiperspirants should not affect your breast cancer risk. Some are really bad for you. While some forms of parabens have been found in the urine in up to 99% of people in the US, so far, studies in people have not shown any direct link between parabens and any health problems, including breast cancer. Policy. Part of the reason this theory emerged is because we used to tell patients that they couldnt use aluminum-containing antiperspirant during radiation, because there were concerns that the aluminum would increase the skin irritation that can result from radiation cancer treatment, Dr. Shah adds. The ingredients from antiperspirants most likely do not reach the lymph nodes, and a lack of sweating would not trap toxins inside our bodies. The EWG rates it overall as a 7 on their scale of risk, 10 being the highest. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. However, Valisure also found higher levels of benzene in non-aerosol body odor products, including powders and sticks, Light said. But these ingredients are in many products (unfortunately). These conclusions were based on interviews with 813 women with breast cancer and 793 women with no history of breast cancer. Most of us are exposed to parabens every day, and studies have found that 99% of people in the United States have parabens present in their urine. Parabens are a component of many products, and the study did not find the specific source of the parabens present in the breast tumors. The agency has also set a goal of 0 ppb for benzene in drinking water and in water such as rivers and lakes because benzene can cause leukemia.. According to critics, however, the bra-caused breast cancer theory is not . Nitrosamines are created when nitrosating agents are combined with amines. What does it take to outsmart cancer? I suggest finding a natural deodorant with no aluminum, and no other chemicals. Once inside, even in low doses, the chemical causes organ damage, cancer and reproductive toxicity. Mirick DK, Davis S, Thomas, DB. Darbre PD, Mannello F, Exley C. Aluminium and breast cancer: Sources of exposure, tissue measurements and mechanisms of toxicological actions on breast biology. Most cancer-causing substances that enter the body are removed from the blood by the kidneys and by the liver. Benzene in your eyes may cause general irritation and damage to your cornea., In its recall, P&G said it has had no reports of adverse reactions, adding that daily exposure to benzene in the recalled products at the levels detected in our testing would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences.. 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. Until recently, we never really questioned what was in our personal care products. Many of these impurities are linked to cancer. Some researchers have theorized that these aluminum compounds might be absorbed by the skin and cause changes in estrogen receptors of breast cells. Benzene, a known cancer-causing chemical, was found in over half of 108 batches of antiperspirant and deodorant body sprays from 30 different brands, according to a citizens petition filed this month with the US Food and Drug Administration. Below are factors the CDC lists that increase the risk. CVS Health and Coppertone also voluntarily stopped selling several sunscreen or after-sun care products due to similar findings. It has been reported that parabens are found in breast tumors, but there is no evidence that they cause breast cancer. Klotz K, Weistenhfer W, Neff F, Hartwig A, van Thriel C, Drexler H. The Health Effects of Aluminum Exposure. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires all paraben-containing products to list parabens on their labels. 2009;72:665-674. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. at the National Institutes of Health, An official website of the United States government, Antiperspirants/Deodorants and Breast Cancer, Final amended report on the safety assessment of Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, and Benzylparaben as used in cosmetic products, Breast Cancer Prevention (PDQ)Patient Version, How to Find Cancer Resources You Can Trust, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The specks can resemble small calcium deposits, which are a sign of cancer. Answers to 10 Common Questions About Breast Cancer, The 15 Best Clinical Strength Deodorants and Antiperspirants of 2023, Tested and Reviewed. can. The study surmised that a relationship may exist between those personal hygiene behaviors and a breast cancer diagnosis early in life. But fear not, my friends; the David Wolfe team is on your side! Rarely, armpit pain may indicate cancer. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), https://www.fda.gov/consumers/womens-health-topics/4-mammography-myths, https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/antiperspirants-and-breast-cancer-risk.html, https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/myths/antiperspirants-fact-sheet, https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/Parabens_BiomonitoringSummary.html, https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/index.htm, https://journals.lww.com/ebp/Citation/2019/06000/Does_the_use_of_antiperspirants_increase_the_risk.23.aspx, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16045991/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14745841/, https://www.breastcancer.org/risk/factors/cosmetics, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/109158180802704s01, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0190962221019447, https://academic.oup.com/jnci/article/94/20/1578/1802711, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8132781/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4997813/, New clues to slow aging? Light said to the best of his knowledge other sunscreens and after-sun cosmetics, which also tested positive for the toxin, remain on the market. The authors of some of these studies express concern that the chemicals in deodorant may be absorbed through the skin and cause mutations that lead to breast cancer. Once the recall is complete, we are preparing to ship new product that meets our quality standards to re-stock shelves.. Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly is a preparation used as anantiperspirantin most deodorants. When an antiperspirant keeps an individual from perspiring, its thought that the chemical toxins could build up and lead to the development of cancer in the breast. Are Natural Deodorants Better for You? - The New York Times Deodorant allergy is a reaction to antiperspirant or deodorant. Unnaturally dry armpits tend to build up static cling. They are designed to inhibit the production of bacteria. An older 2002 case-control study indicates that there is no evidence to support the above theory. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it will continue to review the safety of parabens, but so far, its seen no evidence they cause breast canceror any other health issues. Exposure to chemicals in cosmetics. Whatever time we might spend on thinking about our deodorants and antiperspirants is hoping theyll solve our body odor and sweat issues not worrying about their potentially harmful ingredients and their proximity to our breasts. Thankfully, research has not found a causal relationship, but they did have some interesting findings. However, the reader is responsible for consulting with their own health professional on any matters raised within. What this really means is that the product contains any number of undisclosed scent chemicals and ingredients, including diethyl phthalate, which according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is a synthetic liquid substance that is colorless and is commonly used to make plastics more flexible. There have been claims that regular deodorants and antiperspirants can disrupt or kill off the "good" bacteria living in your armpits, leading to skin irritation, redness, bumps and overall . Over time, the buildup of these ions can lead to nerve damage, kidney damage, Alzheimers and breast cancer. (2016). Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Studies have shown that they cause over 40 types of cancer in animals and humans alike. 2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK. McGrath KG. Butyl ethers are in the paraben family, and they are toluene derivatives (toxic petrochemical compounds). Are there lymph nodes in the upper outer quadrant of the breast where most tumors occur? all my articles in Mens Health, click here or photo below for J Family Med Prim Care. (a.k.a., "Soul to Soul"), Home Cookin' (Great Homes, Great Food!!! Nitrosamines are created when nitrosating agents are combined with amines. 6:44 PM EST, Wed December 1, 2021, Specific Products included in Voluntary P&G Aerosol Spray Antiperspirant Recall (Photo: Business Wire). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting older (50 years or older) and being a woman are the main risk factors for breast cancer. While the research on this topic is limited, most studies have not found a link between antiperspirant use and the development of breast cancer. Studies Link Hormone Disrupting Chemicals in Axe Deodorants and Body Does Using Hair Dye Increase Your Breast Cancer Risk? Rodrigues-Peres RM, Cadore S, Febraio S, et al. They may also create a more acidic environment where applied, which may prevent the bacteria from releasing odors. Instead of reaching for toxic chemicals to deodorize yourself, why not look for more natural options. Mousavi M, Vaghar MI. Regarding the exact nature of this confusion, have a look at the following statement from the Endocrine Society: Endocrine disruptors have effects on male and female reproduction, breast development and cancer, prostrate cancer, neuroendocrinology, thyroid, metabolism and obesity, and cardiovascular endocrinology.. EWG studies show 34 Axe products contain formaldehyde releasers (19). Now if I wanna smell strong, I apply cologone or AXE on my shirt, as long as it doesn't stain it, and I use a natural deodorant for my pits The trend has been led by smaller, boutique brands marketed as "natural," such as Here + Now, Justin Bieber's new "gender-neutral" deodorant from Schmidt's Naturals. The findings do not prove that aluminum salts cause cancer, and . Dieterich M, Stubert J, Reimer T, Erickson N, Berling A. According to the United States National Toxicology Program and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, these chemicals are powerful carcinogens and are linked to leukemia when inhaled, ingested or absorbed through your skin (18). This agency also states that Diethyl phthalate can be released fairly easily from these products, as it is not part of the chain of chemicals (polymers) that makes up the plastic. American Cancer Society. Does deodorant cause cancer? - Cancer Treatment Centers of America You Asked: Can Deodorant Give You Cancer? - Time Darbre PD, Aljarrah A, Miller WR, et al. Age, the use of hormone replacement therapy and family history are some of the biggest risk factors for breast cancer, and those are more important, in my opinion, says Dr. Shah. have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Without BHT, Axe would smell very rancid. Even benzene at 0.1 ppm (parts per million) in a sunscreen could expose people to excessively high nanogram amounts of benzene.. Sore Armpit, Two Days Later Found Two Swolen Lymph Nodes Aluminum in Deodorant: Uses, Cancer Debate, Research and More - Healthline Without knowing the source, there is no way to determine if it came from deodorants. There is not a safe level of benzene that can exist in sunscreen products, said Dr. Christopher Bunick, associate professor of dermatology at Yale University, in a press release at the time. Breast Cancer Res. All Rights Reserved. Parabens, such as methylparaben, ethylparaben and propylparaben, may be found in shampoos, conditioners, skin creams, toothpaste and other personal care products. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. McGrath KG. The list of chemicals in Axe products alone is overwhelming (22). (2020). None of the products have benzene as an ingredient, experts say, so the only way the chemical could have been introduced is via an error in the manufacturing process or by the way the chemical is delivered to the body. One or more animal studies show kidney or renal system effects at very low doses, mammalian cells show positive mutation results, animal studies show reproductive effects at moderate doses Aluminum was first recognized as a human neurotoxin in 1886, before being used as an antiperspirant. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy. Human epidemiological studies have found no association between the use of antiperspirants or deodorants and breast cancer. Like deodorant. A Warner Bros. What is known about the ingredients in antiperspirants and deodorants? 2017. But according to the FDA, retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A, may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight. (9). Aluminium, antiperspirants and 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. Impurities may be present in the manufacturing environment due to the use of certain chemicals, equipment or containers. The chemical, which can trick the bodys cells into not working properly, is also a natural part of crude oil, gasoline and cigarette smoke, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its a paraben which, if youve read some of our other cosmetic articles, you know can be found in 99% of all breast cancer tissue. Willhite CC, Karyakina NA, Yokel RA, et al. I personally use baking soda which works better. You are likely to be advised not to use antiperspirant or deodorant on the day you get a mammogram (an x-ray of the breast) because many of these products contain aluminum. Dense tissue is more likely to develop cancer, and it makes it harder to detect unusual growths during exams and mammograms.. In addition, it has been suggested that aluminum may have direct activity in breast tissue (4). Aluminum-based compounds are the active ingredients in antiperspirants. Doru Paul, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hematology. These chemical mixes are listed as an 8 on the health risk scale according to EWG studies, (15) which also show 116 different Axe products contain these chemicals (16). Here you'll find in-depth information on specific cancer types including risk factors, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment options. These nodes are under the arm, in the upper outer quadrant of the breast, and near the collarbone. One study, published in 2002, did not show any increase in risk for breast cancer among women who reported using an underarm antiperspirant or deodorant (7). The American Cancer Society has information about all aspects of breast cancer, including causes, prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. Is it safe to use old body spray? doi: 1186/bcr2424. 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. Deodorant and Breast Cancer: Is There a Link? - Healthline There is growing evidence that long-term use is linked to a number of neurological diseases, including dementia, autism, and Parkinsons disease. In general, fragrances are linked to everything from allergies, dermatitis, and respiratory issues to cancer and potential negative effects on your reproductive system. Leading baby food manufacturers knowingly sold products with high levels of toxic metals, a congressional investigation found. Because underarm antiperspirants or deodorants are applied near the breast and contain potentially harmful ingredients, several scientists and others have suggested a possible connection between their use and breast cancer (1, 2). J Inorg Biochem. Your email address will not be published. And whats worse, many of these chemicals have never been safety tested according to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) (3). These types of studies can often be hard to interpret because they typically rely on a persons memory of antiperspirant use many years earlier, and people with cancer tend to be more likely to recall exposures they think might be linked to their cancer. There have been many studies which demonstrate that BHT accumulates over time in the body, having a toxic impact on the lungs, liver and kidneys amongst other negative effects. 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. What is known about the relationship between antiperspirants or deodorants and breast cancer? Axe Body Spray is marketed to Boys. Is it Toxic? | elephant journal Among the rumors about the health effects of deodorant, one of the most alarming claims is that there is a link between deodorant and breast cancer.