Will Deodorant Give You Breast Cancer?

Much concern in my inbox in the last few weeks. Swiss researchers concluded that aluminium salts like those used in deodorant pose a risk to breast cancer. It is not the first time this ‘unhealthy relationship’ has cropped up. So is deodorant really safe to use?

Persistent message
For years now there have been persistent reports circulating that using deodorant could cause breast cancer. These reports originate from studies by, among others, Philippa Darbre from 2004*. A relationship was found, in these studies, between breast cancer and components found in deodorants, such as aluminium hydrochloride. The researcher concluded that the use of these substances is responsible for the high amount of tumours found in the part of the breast where deodorant is applied. However, there was much criticism of the studies. Due to tissue density, the upper and outer quadrant of the breast develops more tumours anyway.

No proof found
Since then there has been an unbelievable amount of research carried out into the alleged (cor)relation between the use of deodorant and breast cancer. Among others, by the American Cancer Society and the American National Cancer Institute. These studies ultimately found no relationship between the use of deodorant and breast cancer, including when underarm hair had been removed. A recently published review article also concluded, on the basis of existing studies, that no link can be shown. Nevertheless, this research group from Spain is calling for more and, above all, well designed studies.

Swiss mice
And yet this study has now emerged from Switzerland. It is an experiment carried out in vitro using mouse models which have been injected with human breast cells. In vitro (Latin for ‘in glass’) – means that the tests were carried out in laboratories using test tubes and petri dishes, in any case outside the body of a human or animal. The Swiss group exposed an amount of the cultivated breast cells, comparable to human breast cells, over a prolonged period to an amount of aluminium chloride. The cells were subsequently found to transform into tumour cells.

The study is, as said, conducted using animal models in vitro. In order to reasonably say something about the risk of aluminium, in vivo tests would also need to be carried out using living animal models. In addition, the Swiss researchers call for new epidemiological studies in humans. Nevertheless, the scientists made strong statements in the media. They compared the use of aluminium chloride to the carcinogenic asbestos. Asbestos is a cheap product, widely used in industry. It took fifty years for it be declared illegal. ‘Hopefully this will not take as much time with aluminium chloride’, according to the researchers Mandriota and Sappino.

Breast cancer researcher Phillippa Darbre, of Reading University, and toxicologist Alain Pineau, another well- known author in the area of heavy metals use in cosmetics, point out in various publications up until now the importance of reducing the concentrations of aluminium in a much and worldwide used product as deodorant. According to them, the relationship between the presence of aluminium and a change in cell processes (tumour forming) has been revealed in more in vitro studies.

Deodorant and antiperspirant
KWF Kankerbestrijding (a Dutch organization) maintains the view on its website that deodorants are safe to use. Are you still not satisfied with that? You can then choose a product without aluminium. Besides, ‘ordinary’ deodorants do not usually contain aluminium salts. Only the so-called antiperspirants contain this ingredient. Those are the products which block the pores of the sweat glands for a number of hours. The metal salts which are added (aluminium or zirconium) react with the keratin in the skin which causes a plug and stops the sweat from being released. An ordinary deodorant has another purpose. It gathers up the bacteria on the skin and conceals the odour. These products usually contain a lot of alcohol and perfume. In the Netherlands, the term antiperspirant and deodorant are used interchangeably and often just the term deodorant is used. So, first check the ingredients list to see what you are actually buying.

Aluminium and perfume free
And to make it even more complicated, you need to realise that fragrances in deodorants can still have an oestrogenic effect. As far as I know it has not been investigated, but such components in a similar scientific experiment could also have a tumour stimulating effect. If you want to be certain then you need to look for a deodorant which is perfume free. One option is a deodorant with magnesium chloride or otherwise the old fashioned way of washing under your arms with soap and water.

Kind regards,

Jetske

Research Physician Cosmetic Dermatology

You can also read:

The difference between a deodorant and an antiperspirant