Aluminium in deodorants linked to breast lumps
Thursday, July 16th, 2009
I’ve suspected it for years, and now there’s proof: a Journal of Applied Toxicology study recently linked the aluminium in traditional antiperspirants to breast lumps. Whoever thought applying aluminium to your lymph nodes every morning was a good idea was probably the same person who dreamed up mercury fillings for teeth and turning cows into cannibals – some things just smell fishy right from the start.
As reported by Ecochildsplay, cancer researcher Philippa Darbre of Reading University is conducting a study of the levels of aluminium found in breast cysts, blood, and breast milk. Her research has found that levels of aluminium in cysts in the armpit area are 25 times the normal blood sample level. She says, “this might be a wake-up call about the risks of anti-perspirants. Either women should stop using them or the manufacturers should look at ways of reformulating their products.” Claire Dimmer, of Breast Cancer UK, feels strongly that antiperspirants should not be used, and hasn’t used them herself for over 15 years. “Aluminium is in most of them and it mimics the effect of estrogen, a hormone known to promote growth of breast cancer tumours,” she says. And let’s not be sexist – men get breast cancer, too, and they don’t need extra doses of estrogen or aluminium.
But quitting is easy – there are a number of non-aluminium deodorants on sale, though you do need to check the ingredients even in health food shops. You don’t actually need to buy any product - it’s easy to make your own spray deodorant: just mix around 40 drops of your favorite essential oil in a 2-ounce spray bottle full of rubbing alcohol. For extra bacteria-fighting power, try oils with antiseptic qualities like tea tree, lavender, peppermint, or sage. Not all hippies are smelly, you know!
