The studies done so far have not found a link between using deodorants or antiperspirants and breast cancer; the US National Cancer Institute says no scientific evidence links these products to breast cancer, but because there have been only a few studies, research continues [1, 2]. As for bras, in a large study their size, style and how long they were worn were not linked to breast cancer [8]. The known risk factors for breast cancer are other things, such as getting older, family history, alcohol and excess weight [9].
Key points
- In a study of more than 1,600 women, using an antiperspirant or deodorant, even within an hour of shaving the underarms with a razor, was not linked to a higher risk of breast cancer [1].
- Aluminium and parabens have been found in breast tissue, but no study so far has shown that they cause breast cancer [2, 6].
- Bras: cup size, underwire, hours worn per day and the age a woman started wearing one were not linked to breast cancer [8].
- About 8 in 10 women with breast cancer have no known risk factor other than being a woman and their age; that is why noticing symptoms and having mammograms on time matter [10].
Why has this question come up?
Antiperspirant is applied close to the breast and stays on the skin, so some researchers have asked whether its ingredients could play a part in breast cancer [1, 2]. Two ingredients have been studied the most [2]:
- Aluminium: the main active ingredient of antiperspirants; it temporarily plugs the sweat ducts so that sweat does not reach the skin. Some researchers have suggested that a little may be absorbed through the skin and have effects similar to the hormone oestrogen [2].
- Parabens: preservatives found in some cosmetics and personal care products that, in experiments on cells, act a little like oestrogen [2].
These laboratory findings raise an important question, but on their own they do not show that these substances cause cancer in the human body; that is why studies have been done in women themselves [2, 5].
What have studies shown?
- The largest study, in the United States: 813 women with breast cancer were compared with 793 women without it. Using an antiperspirant or deodorant, shaving the underarms with a razor, and applying the product within an hour of shaving were none of them linked to a higher risk [1].
- A 2016 review found only two suitable studies; neither showed a higher risk, but the author wrote that this was too few for a firm conclusion and that more studies are needed [4].
- A small study in Austria reported that women who had applied underarm products several times a day since before the age of 30 had breast cancer more often [7]. In this study, use was based on women's own memories of many years earlier, and the researchers worded their conclusion as "may" [7].
- A study that looked at age at diagnosis found that women who used antiperspirants more often, and from a younger age, together with underarm shaving, had been diagnosed at a younger age; this study had no group of healthy women for comparison, and the US National Cancer Institute considers its result inconclusive [3, 2].
The US National Cancer Institute concludes that no scientific evidence links the use of these products to breast cancer; because there have been few studies and their results have differed, more research is needed [2].
What about aluminium and parabens?
Aluminium: a large review in 2014 found no clear evidence that antiperspirants or cosmetics containing aluminium increase the risk of breast cancer; aluminium and its common salts have not been shown to cause cancer in tests [6]. In the same Austrian study, aluminium was found in the breast tissue of both the women with cancer and the healthy women [7].
Parabens: a study in England found parabens in 20 samples of breast tumours [5]; healthy tissue was not examined for comparison, and it cannot be concluded from this study that parabens caused the cancer [5, 2]. Parabens are used in many cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical products, and most deodorants and antiperspirants in the United States no longer contain them [2].
Aluminium-free and paraben-free products are also available; choosing between them is a matter of personal preference.
What about bras? Are underwired or tight bras a risk?
Some people have asked whether bras, especially underwired or tight ones, raise the risk of cancer by putting pressure on the breast. In a study in the United States, more than 1,000 women with breast cancer after the menopause were compared with nearly 500 women without it [8]. No aspect of wearing a bra, not cup size, not the number of hours worn per day, not underwire and not the age at which a woman started wearing one, was linked to breast cancer [8].
This study looked only at women after the menopause [8]; which bra you wear is a matter of your own comfort.
Known risk factors for breast cancer
| Risk factor | What can we do? |
|---|---|
| Being a woman and getting older | Cannot be changed; about 8 in 10 women with breast cancer have no other risk factor, so noticing symptoms and screening matter [9, 10] |
| Family history and inherited gene changes (such as BRCA1, BRCA2 and PALB2) | If several relatives have had breast or ovarian cancer, talk to your doctor about genetic counselling and earlier or more frequent screening [9, 11] |
| Alcohol | The more you drink, the higher the risk [9] |
| Excess weight after the menopause and physical inactivity | A healthy weight and regular activity help [9] |
| Combined hormone therapy (oestrogen and progestin) after the menopause | Talk to your doctor about whether you need it and for how long [9] |
| Early first period, late menopause, first birth at an older age, not breastfeeding | Breastfeeding is one of the protective factors [9] |
| High-dose radiation to the chest in childhood or young adulthood (for example, radiotherapy) | Your doctor may start screening earlier [9, 11] |
| Dense breast tissue | Shown on a mammogram; talk to your doctor about the screening method [9] |
| Tobacco | Stopping smoking cigarettes and hookah (shisha, waterpipe) [10] |
Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will definitely get breast cancer, and some women with breast cancer have no known risk factor [9].
What should I do? Have mammograms on time
The most important thing for finding breast cancer early is to have mammograms at the right age and to show any new change in the breast or armpit to a doctor promptly [10]: At what age should I start mammograms? and What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
On the day of your mammogram, do not put deodorant, antiperspirant, powder, lotion, cream or perfume on your breasts or under your arms [11].
Frequently asked questions
Is antiperspirant risky after shaving the underarms?
Is deodorant or antiperspirant better?
What about parabens in creams, shampoos and cosmetics?
Is it harmful to sleep in a bra or to wear an underwired bra?
In a study that looked at this, the number of hours a bra was worn per day and whether it had an underwire were not linked to breast cancer [8]. Which bra you wear is a matter of comfort.
Can I wear deodorant on the day of my mammogram?
It is better not to. The US National Cancer Institute advises not putting deodorant, antiperspirant, powder, lotion, cream or perfume on your breasts or under your arms on the day of your mammogram [11].
Isn't the radiation from a mammogram itself a risk?
Mammography uses a small amount of X-rays [11]. For the amount of radiation and how the benefit compares with the risk, see Do CT scans, X-rays and mammograms cause cancer?
I have a lump or a change in my breast or armpit; what should I do?
Show any new symptom to a doctor promptly so it can be checked [10]; only a doctor can tell what is causing it. See I found a lump in my breast. What should I do?
Notes for doctors (for physicians)
For physicians
Mirick 2002 (JNCI). Population-based case–control study in Seattle; 813 cases aged 20 to 74 (diagnosed 1992 to 1995) and 793 controls (random-digit dialling, frequency-matched by 5-year age group), with in-person interviews. Antiperspirant OR 0.9 (P=0.23) and deodorant 1.2 (P=0.19); application within 1 hour of blade shaving: antiperspirant OR 0.9 (P=0.40) and deodorant 1.2 (P=0.16) [1].
Other findings and limitations. McGrath 2003: 437 breast cancer survivors without a control group; more frequent and earlier antiperspirant use combined with underarm shaving was associated with a younger age at diagnosis [3]; the NCI considers this result inconclusive because of the retrospective design [2]. Linhart 2017 (EBioMedicine): age-matched case–control study of 209 cases and 209 controls; use several times a day starting before age 30 OR 3.88 (1.03 to 14.66); breast tissue aluminium (100 cases and 52 controls) was present in both groups and the median was higher in cases (5.8 vs 3.8 nmol/g); exposure was self-reported and the confidence interval very wide [7]. Allam 2016 (systematic review): only two case–control studies (USA and Iraq); pooled OR 0.40 (0.35 to 0.46), concluding that the data were insufficient for a quantitative review and that prospective studies are needed [4].
Aluminium and parabens. Willhite 2014 (systematic review): no clear evidence that aluminium-containing antiperspirants or cosmetics increase breast cancer risk; metallic aluminium, its oxides and common salts have not been shown to be genotoxic or carcinogenic [6]. Darbre 2004: mean total paraben concentration in 20 breast tumours 20.6 ± 4.2 ng/g tissue (methylparaben 62% of the total); no normal tissue or control group and no identification of the source of exposure [5].
Bras. Chen 2014 (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev): population-based case–control study in postmenopausal women aged 55 to 74; 454 invasive ductal carcinomas, 590 invasive lobular carcinomas and 469 controls; cup size, hours worn per day, underwire, recency and age at starting regular use were not associated with either type [8].
Counselling. About 80% of breast cancers occur in women with no identifiable risk factor other than sex and age [10]; steer the conversation towards modifiable factors (alcohol, postmenopausal weight, physical activity, combined hormone therapy), assessment of inherited risk and risk-adapted screening [9, 11].
Related cancer types
Related questions
References
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