Many years ago, there were rumors that deodorant could be linked to breast cancer because many deodorants have parabens and aluminum are and applied under the arm close to breast tissue. Parabens act similarly to the hormone estrogen and constant exposure to estrogen has been association with breast cancer risk.  

New research published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology found that parabens occur in almost all women whether or not they use deodorant. Breast tissue from 160 breast-tissue samples from 40 English mastectomy patients showed that 99% of them included the presence of at least one paraben compound. In addition over 60% of the mastectomies had all five parabens that for which they were tested. Patients who had never used products under the arm had traces of parabens in their breast tissue.  Mr. Lester Barr, consultant surgeon at the University Hospital of South Manchester and Chairman of the Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention Appeal, explains:

 “Our study appears to confirm the view that there is no simple cause and effect relationship between parabens in underarm products and breast cancer..The intriguing discovery that parabens are present even in women who have never used underarm products raises the question: where have these chemicals come from?”

Carla Snuggs is a freelance writer for Endless Beauty.