Question & Answer

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Antiperspirants and deodorants often contain aluminium or aluminium chloride.
It has been claimed that using underarm antiperspirant and deodorant products causes breast cancer.
Two studies published in 2003 and 2004 attempted to establish a connection between the use of antiperspirants/deodorants and breast cancer. However, cancer experts suggest that these two studies linking deodorant use to breast cancer are flawed in their methodology.
A systematic review of six studies with 1674 breast cancer patients and 1662 control patients have suggested that there is no association between use of antiperspirants and deodorants and breast cancer.
A recently conducted primary study involving 384 people also concluded that there is no relationship between the use of aluminium containing antiperspirant with breast cancer.

Remember, personal experiences or anecdotes (stories) are, by themselves, not a reliable basis for assessing the effects of an intervention
Opinions alone are not a reliable basis for claims about the effects of anything.
Whenever possible, use up-to-date summaries (systematic reviews) of fair comparisons to inform decisions.

Drafted by: Dr. KM Saif-Ur-Rahman, Evidence Synthesis Ireland and Cochrane Ireland, University of Galway.
Reviewed by: Prof Declan Devane, School of Nursing and Midwifery, HRB-Trials Methodology Research Network, Evidence Synthesis Ireland & Cochrane Ireland, University of Galway.
Topic Advisor: Dr. Frank Moriarty, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy at the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
Public and Patient advisor: Deirdre Mac Loughlin, Public and Patient Involvement in health and social care research (PPI) advisor, PPI Ignite, University of Galway.
Journalistic advisor: Dr. Claire O’Connell, Contributor to The Irish Times, writing about health, science and innovation.