Home → Lower Your Risk → Ask-the-Expert Conferences: Risk Factors → August 2005: Environmental Issues and Breast Cancer → Link between antiperspirants and breast cancer?

Link between antiperspirants and breast cancer?

Page last modified on: October 2, 2008

Question from SueW: Is there any evidence that use of underarm deodorants/antiperspirants is linked to breast cancer?: Answers —Sue Heffelfinger, M.D., Ph.D.: I don't think there are any data that have shown a link. I think the concerns with some of the deodorants as well as other personal care products has been the estrogen products we mentioned earlier, but the animal data are not clear and as far as I'm aware, there are no epidemiological data to support a causal role.; Devra Davis, Ph.D., M.P.H.: That's true and probably going to be true for the rest of our lives. So what do you do in the meantime? I think a prudent avoidance of suspect material is all we can say. The reality is we do not have human evidence of harm. But that should not be confused with meaning that there is no harm. It merely means that, given the tools we have available to us now, we cannot answer the questions with studies in humans.

On Wednesday, August 17, 2005, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Environmental Issues and Breast Cancer. Devra Lee Davis, Ph.D., M.P.H., Sue Heffelfinger, M.D., Ph.D., and moderator Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. answered your questions about which environmental hazards may increase your risk for breast cancer and how you can reduce them in the home and workplace.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Devra Lee Davis, Ph.D., MPH Devra Lee-Davis, Ph.D., M.P.H. directs the Environmental Oncology Center at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.

Sue Heffelfinger, M.D., Ph.D. is director of an NIH Center for Breast Cancer and the Environment at the University of Cincinnati and also associate professor in the department of pathology and laboratory medicine.

Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. is a medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer, with a a special interest in cancer survivorship, patient-physician communication, and quality of care for women with breast cancer.