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For many years, online rumors have suggested that underarm antiperspirants might cause breast cancer. In fact, very little scientific evidence exists to support this idea.

Some people are also concerned about links between antiperspirant ingredients, such as aluminum compounds, and breast cancer risk. Research does not show such a link, however.

Does antiperspirant use increase a person’s risk of breast cancer?

Concerns have been raised about certain antiperspirant ingredients, such as aluminum compounds, increasing breast cancer risk. The way these concerns are presented online can be confusing.

Reviewing scientific evidence can help you tell the difference between myths and facts.

Most studies on this topic have been case-control studies. In this kind of study, researchers look at people with and without breast cancer that have been asked about previous antiperspirant use. These types of studies can often be hard to interpret because they typically rely on a person’s memory of antiperspirant use many years earlier. People with cancer tend to be more likely to recall exposures they think might be linked to their cancer.

A few smaller studies suggested a possible link, but their size and design make it hard to draw firm conclusions. A larger, well-designed study of around 800 women with breast cancer and a similar number of women without the disease found no link between breast cancer and antiperspirant use, deodorant use, or underarm shaving.

A more recent case-control study found a possible increased risk of breast cancer only among women who used antiperspirant multiple times per day starting at an age younger than 30. However, the study does not prove that antiperspirants or aluminum cause breast cancer.

Overall, the studies that link breast cancer risk and antiperspirant use are limited to case-control studies with mixed results. There is currently limited evidence to conclude that antiperspirant use increases breast cancer risk.

Should I be concerned about aluminum in antiperspirants?

People can be exposed to aluminum in a variety of ways, including in food and on cookware, in medicines such as antacids and anti-diarrheals, and in products such as toothpaste, sunscreens, and cosmetics.

Aluminum-based compounds are the active ingredients in some antiperspirants. They work by blocking sweat glands so sweat can’t reach the skin’s surface. Some researchers thought that if small amounts of aluminum were absorbed through the skin, the aluminum might cause changes in estrogen receptors of breast cells. Because estrogen can help both normal breast cells and breast cancer cells grow, this thought led to questions about whether aluminum in antiperspirants might increase breast cancer risk.

It’s not clear that much aluminum is absorbed through the skin. One study looked at the absorption of aluminum from antiperspirants applied to the underarms. It found that only a tiny fraction (0.012%) was absorbed. 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.

Additional research has shown no meaningful difference in aluminum levels between breast tissue with cancer and surrounding healthy tissue.

Overall, there is no strong evidence that aluminum-containing antiperspirants increase the aluminum in breast tissue.

What do expert agencies say?

In general, the American Cancer Society (大象tv) does not determine whether something should be considered a carcinogen (something that can cause cancer). Instead, 大象tv looks to other respected organizations for help with this.

To date, none of the major health organizations have found conclusive scientific evidence linking antiperspirants or their ingredients, including aluminum, to breast cancer risk. This includes:

• International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
• National Toxicology Program (NTP)
• US Food and Drug Administration

These organizations continue to review new research on these ingredients as more studies become available.

Does antiperspirant use after shaving increase breast cancer risk?

No evidence supports this concern. Small cuts from shaving can increase the risk of skin infection. If the underarm skin is already broken or infected, it’s possible that some antiperspirants could cause slight irritation. But it is unlikely that this is a major source of carcinogens getting into breast cells.

Do antiperspirants stop the body from removing toxins through underarm sweat?

No. Sweat glands in the skin, including under the arms, mainly cool the body, rather than remove toxins.

Most cancer-causing substances that enter the body are removed from the blood by the kidneys and the liver and then leave the body through urine or feces.

Are there more cancers in the upper outer quadrant of the breast, near the underarm area?

Yes, but there’s a logical explanation for this. The 4 areas (quadrants) of the breast are not the same size. About half of all breast cancers start in the upper outer area, most likely because there is more breast tissue there. The number of breast cancers in this area matches the amount of breast tissue in the area.

Do men have lower breast cancer risk because underarm hair blocks antiperspirants from the skin?

Overall, men are much less likely than women to develop breast cancer, mainly because men have much less breast tissue.

Also, men’s bodies only make small amounts of estrogen as compared to women’s bodies. Estrogen is a hormone that can play a role in increased breast cancer risk.

Certain metabolic conditions might increase risk of breast cancer in men, including:

• Family history of breast cancer
• Personal or family history of certain gene mutations (such as BRCA1 and BRCA2)
• Excess body weight
• Some types of hormone treatments

Visit Breast Cancer in Men to learn more about breast cancer risk in men.

Why should I avoid deodorant and antiperspirant on the day of a mammogram?

On the day you’re scheduled to get a mammogram (an x-ray of the breast), you’ll probably be told not to use antiperspirant or deodorant. This is because many of these products contain aluminum. This metal can show up on mammograms as tiny white specks.

These specks can look like microcalcifications, which are one of the things doctors look for as a possible sign of breast cancer. Not using antiperspirant or deodorant before your appointment helps prevent any confusion when the mammogram is reviewed.

Should I be concerned about parabens?

Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in personal care products and in processed foods. They can be found in products like makeup, including lipstick, mascara, concealer, and foundation. Skin care products such as lotion, shaving products, and sunscreen can also contain parabens.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), many major brands of antiperspirants and deodorants don’t currently contain parabens. However, some products might.

The evidence does not clearly show that parabens in food, drugs, cosmetics, and skin care products are linked to cancer. Still, some people choose to avoid products containing parabens because of safety concerns.

Listing parabens on the label of products that contain them is required. Most parabens have names that contain the word “paraben,” which can make it easier to find them in a list of ingredients.

When you use a product with parabens, they can be absorbed through the skin. Lab studies show that parabens can have a weak estrogen-like effect. Estrogen has been shown to help both normal breast cells and breast cancer cells grow. The way parabens can mimic estrogen has raised concerns about how they might affect the body over time, but there is currently no consistent evidence that paraben exposure is linked with an increased risk of breast cancer.

To learn more about breast cancer risk factors and possible ways to reduce risk, visit Breast Cancer Risk and Prevention.