Deodorants Could Lead to Breast Cancer

Monday, January 12, 2004, newindpress.com

Abstract: LONDON-British women are being urged to abandon the use of under arm deodorants after researchers claimed they could cause breast cancer. According to The Sun, parabens preservatives used in deodorants, cosmetics and food were found in a study of 20 different breast tumor samples. The chemicals are thought to be a risk because they mimic the female hormone estrogen, which has been proven to boost the growth of breast tumors. Study leader Dr. Philippa Darbre said: "My advice is to cut down or cut out anti-perspirant deodorants. It's a massive experiment to ask millions of men, women and children to spray these chemicals on every day. We need to know about their effects. "Our research found parabens can be accumulated in human tissue. Half of all breast tumors are fuelled by estrogen, and stopping using products containing these chemicals could have an impact on cancer rates and treatment success," concluded Dr. Darbre of Reading University. But cancer experts say more research is required before finally telling women to keep or throw away their deodorant sprays and roll-ons.

Commentary: Bravo for these researchers. This goes beyond the aluminum toxicity that can occur due to antiperspirants. These researchers specifically looked at xenoestrogens in deodorants. Xenoestrogens are estrogen mimickers and increase the risk of a host of hormonally related cancers-most notably breast cancer. Not only do these nasty compounds bind to estrogen receptor sites and cause mutations, but some of these chemicals can also increase estrogen production at the binding sites. Our environment is loaded with these chemicals in pesticides, herbicides, plastics, cosmetics, food packaging, and water-just to name a few. These chemicals are in large part responsible for the increase in breast cancer. For example, in Israel a specific pesticide was outlawed and the rate of breast cancer plummeted. There are of course natural deodorants that one can purchase at most health stores-even supermarkets and drug stores are carrying these natural products that are safe and effective. So you don't have to throw deodorants away- just use something that is safe. This important study never reached the media here-it's a shame. I am also appalled at the "cancer experts" who want to wait for more research. There are hundreds of studies on xenohormones. I suggest that that they familiarize themselves with the research.