Deodorants & antiperspirants

There is no evidence to suggest that deodorants, antiperspirants or shaving increase breast cancer risk, despite claims to the contrary being circulated since 1999.

It has also been claimed that aluminium salts, used as an ingredient in antiperspirants to block sweating, can cause breast cancer. Again, no good evidence to support this claim exists.

You will be advised to avoid using antiperspirants or talc containing aluminium when you go for a mammogram, but this is only because the aluminium might show up on your x-ray and give an inaccurate reading.

For more information see our factsheet, Deodorants, Antiperspirants and Breast Cancer Risk: The Facts (197 kb) .