What do the experts recommend women should do?
Many women are confused as to what to do for the best when it comes to using antiperspirants, and it’s easy to see why. Conflicting research and compelling opinion from both sides of the debate means the decision is far from clear-cut.
Latest opinions…
I always had a gut feeling anti perspirants were bad news. It\'s just logical you don\'t go against nature like that, but used it through…
rosalind, Northampton
Sweating is part of our natural detoxing system, so to stop the sweating process surely can\'t be a smart move? Sanex are now making a n…
Koshka, Bodmin
I suffer from extreme sweating and I\'ve tried every deoderant/anti-perspirant under the sun. The only thing that keeps me dry is Mitchu…
Angie Wilkie, Edinburgh
Dont take unnecessary risks?
Some scientists, including the aforementioned oncologist Dr Phillipa Dabre, believe women should avoid using underarm products containing aluminium and parabens until further research has been carried out.
Leading breast cancer specialist Dr Robert Thomas supports this stance: “I’m very much aware there is no clear proof antiperspirants or deodorants cause cancer, but with one in nine women developing the disease, it seems sensible to be cautious and not take unnecessary risks.”
“Women who have had breast cancer should consider not using antiperspirants or deodorants. And healthy women should think twice about it, especially those with a strong family history or other risk factors. This is what I suggest to my patients and my own family. Giving up using deodorant could be as effective in reducing cancer risk as a diet rich in disease-preventing antioxidants.” You can read an article written by Dr Thomas in 2007 for the Daily Mail here.
An over-cautious attitide?
Others believe that this is an over-cautious attitude. The majority of the leading breast cancer charities agree that women shouldn’t panic and state that, until there is evidence to the contrary, it’s safe to continue using antiperspirants.