Mount Sinai South Nassau presents:

TRUTH IN MEDICINE

A: No. Using deodorants or antiperspirants does not increase your risk of breast cancer. Claims linking deodorant/antiperspirant use and breast cancer have been around for many years.

The theory behind the claim is that using deodorant/antiperspirant blocks the body from sweating out toxins which then build up in the lymph glands under the armpit, causing breast cancer. The fact is, our bodies have several ways of getting rid of toxins and, while sweating is one of them, it doesn’t involve the lymph glands.

According to researchers at the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society, there’s also no conclusive evidence that ingredients in deodorants and antiperspirants cause breast cancer. If you are worried about the health effects of conventional deodorants, you may want to switch to natural products.

And if you’re concerned about risks associated with breast cancer, talk to your doctor.