All Women Count
NOTE: Because the email rumor linking antiperspirant to breast cancer continues to circulate, All Women Count! reprints the following article from the American Cancer Society website.
May 21, 1999 (News Today) - An email making the rounds falsely links antiperspirant use with an increased risk of breast cancer. Even if emails seem to come from the most reliable of sources, experts suggest you should always look to the medical evidence. This what the emailer had to say, followed by the facts.
Email Rumor: I had toxic shock syndrome approximately two years ago from an infected lymph node found under my arm. the infection released toxins throughout my blood stream and caused my liver, kidneys, and lungs to collapse. It was extremely life threatening and I had no idea that this was happening to me. I was told by my doctor before I was released to use only aerosol deodorant and that I should not shave my underarms but to cut the underarm hair with scissors instead of shaving.
Fact: This part of the message could be true. The woman the email is from probably had hidradenitis supurativa, an infection that starts in the sweat glands in the underarm or groin area. This infection can lead to bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream) and shock if not treated properly. Shaving with a blade can make an underarm infection worse. It is possible that some antiperspirants may be slightly irritating to someone recovering from this infection or from underarm surgery.
The email continues: The leading cause of breast cancer is the use of antiperspirant. Yes, ANTIPERSPIRANT. Most of the products out there are an antiperspirant/deodorant combination, so go home and check your labels. Deodorant is fine, antiperspirant is not.
Fact: This is not true. There have been many extremely thorough epidemiological studies of breast cancer risk and they have not found antiperspirant use to be a risk factor for breast cancer, much less the "leading cause" of the disease.
The email also states: The human body has a few areas that it uses to purge toxins; behind the knees, behind the ears, groin area, and armpits. The toxins are purged in the form of perspiration. Antiperspirant, as the name clearly indicates, prevents the body from perspiring, thereby inhibiting it from purging toxins below the armpits. These toxins do not just magically disappear. Instead, the body deposits them in the lymph nodes below the arms since it cannot sweat them out. This causes a high concentration of toxins and leads to cell mutations: a.k.a. CANCER.
Fact: Lymph nodes clear some toxins from the body. But, they are not released through sweating. The American Cancer Society is not aware of any evidence that shows substances in deodorants or antiperspirants to be toxic or that cause DNA damage that could lead to cancer. Such products are rigorously tested before they can be marketed.
