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FAQ November 2007
Breast cancer en antiperspirants
Question :
It is said that there is increasing evidence that the chemical constituents of underarm and
bodycare cosmetics applied to the underarm and breast area may be involved in the rising
incidence of breast cancer. Aluminium salts such as aluminium chlorhydrate are the
active ingredient of antiperspirant in these cosmetics and are said to be responsible for
this increased breast cancer incidence. Should we avoid any use of body care products
containing this aluminium salt?
Answer:
Aluminium chlorhydrate is indeed used as antiperspirant. It’s mode of action is thought to
involve blockage of the sweat ducts which prevents the escape of sweat onto the surface,
probably through the formation of a physical plug at the top of the sweat duct, which is
composed of a combination of precipitated salts and damaged cells. So far there is no
clear indication that applications in deodorants induce breast cancer. Aluminium
compounds including aluminium chlorhydrate, are not considered carcinogenic (cf. WHO
Environmental Health Criteria 194, 1997). The International Agency for Research on
Cancer (IARC) only mentions an increased cancer risk in workers who are involved in
the production process of aluminium, but this is apparently not due to aluminium
exposure but to exposure to other compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(cf. Toxicological Profile for Aluminum (update), US Department of Health & Human
Services, 1999, page 126). Despite the known toxicity of aluminium compounds there is
no evidence of adverse health effects in the general human population. Clinical studies
show a high incidence of breast cancer in the outer quadrant of the breast (close to where
deodorants are applied) but it is generally assumed that this is only because this part of
the breast is more active and hence more prone to DNA damage and cellular
transformation. There is also no reason why aluminium chlorhydrate would preferentially
induce breast cancer rather than for example skin cancer or cancer of the lymph nodes.
Yet, research on a possible link between aluminium containing antiperspirants and breast
cancer is still going on.