At the time, a friend of my mother had breast cancer and they were discussing the effects of antiperspirants that reduced underarm sweat. She was saying that the aluminum based compounds also known as aluminum chloride, aluminum zirconium tricholorohydrex glycine, aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum hydroxybromide, formed a temporary plug within the sweat duct that stopped the flow of sweat to the skin’s surface. I was an avid “Secret” user by the way. Anyway, shortly after my scare, I started using baking soda which kept me from smelling but thought the product was a little messy, then I changed to the deodorant rock, but found out it contained potassium alum which was too close to the aluminum I was running away from. I didn’t do any research on what the potassium alum was, but I will eventually. I ended up with Tropical Traditions Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Aluminum-free Deodorant Roll-on. It’s a bit on the expensive side, but nowhere near the price for a mastectomy.
Some of the ingredients of the Tropical Traditions deodorant are purified water, organic Virgin Coconut Oil, organic jojoba, emulsifying wax (plant based, non-soy), grapefruit seed extract, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda – my friend), organic essential oils of rosewood, geranium, cedarwood, and patchouly.
My mum’s friend gave me a pamphlet which I read within minutes. It stated that the nasty chemicals located in regular deodorants contained harmful substances, which can be absorbed through the skin or enter the body through shaving or by nicks caused by shaving. It verified that some scientists have also proposed that certain ingredients in underarm antiperspirants or deodorants may be related to breast cancer because they are applied frequently to an area next to the breast.
Still, after reading the backside of the pamphlet, more information regarding research suggesting that aluminum-based compounds, which are applied frequently and left on the skin near the breast, may be absorbed by the skin and result in estrogen-like behavior. It said because the hormone, estrogen, has been known to promote the growth of breast-cancer cells, some researchers have suggested that aluminum-based compounds in antiperspirants could contribute to the development of breast cancer. However, there are doctors that think the antiperspirant-cancer link is a lot of nonsense. Come to your own conclusion.
Though more research is needed to specifically examine whether the use of deodorants or antiperspirants can cause the buildup of parabens and aluminum-based compounds in breast tissue, additional research is also necessary to determine whether these chemicals can either alter the DNA in some cells or cause other breast cell changes that may lead to the development of breast cancer. I’ve decided to protect my “girls” and not use products containing paraben’s and aluminum-based compounds.
Just a reminder, remember to do your personal breast exams, weekly. They are very important… and one more piece of information, some of the ingredients mentioned in the first paragraph, plus the ones mentioned here (methylparaben, propylparaben, aluminum or propylene glycol) can also be found in popular lotions, shampoos and hair care products.
The National Library of Medicine’s Household Products Database also has information about the ingredients used in most major brands of deodorants “and antiperspirants. Check out http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/index.htm for more information.
Check back often, read more and enhance your awareness.
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