Wednesday, 30 June 2010
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Thursday, 17 June 2010
Monday, 14 June 2010
DEODORANTS, ANTIPERSPIRANTS AND BREAST CANCER RISK: THE FACTS
Breast cancer is unfortunately a common disease. About 1 in every 9 women in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time in their lives. But it’s important to remember that more women than ever before are surviving breast cancer due to better awareness, screening and improved treatments. What can make a difference to your chances of developing breast cancer in the first place? This series of fact sheets aims to give you some information about what is known about breast cancer risk factors.
Is there a link between deodorants or antiperspirants and breast cancer?
Stories claiming that using deodorants or antiperspirants increases the risk of breast cancer have been circulating on the internet and by email for several years. This issue also gets a lot of press coverage from time to time. Since these claims began to circulate some studies have looked at the possible link between deodorants/antiperspirants and breast cancer. But there is still no good scientific evidence that a link exists.
What is the difference between deodorants and antiperspirants?
Antiperspirants work by closing, clogging or blocking the pores that release perspiration. Deodorants, on the other hand, do not stop perspiration. Instead, they work by neutralising the smell of perspiration.
Why do some people think there might be a link between deodorants or antiperspirants and breast cancer?
There have been two theories behind the possible link between deodorants and/or antiperspirants and breast cancer. Many of the articles in the press and on the internet propose that toxins are removed from the body in the form of perspiration. The articles claim that, by preventing perspiration, antiperspirants stop the body from getting rid of toxins from under the arms. According to the reports, these toxins accumulate near the breast and can cause breast cells to become cancerous. However, perspiration is not one of the major ways that the body eliminates toxins – the liver and kidneys play a far more important role. The main function of
perspiration is to help your body to cool down.
Other reports have also claimed that both antiperspirants and deodorants contain toxic chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin or enter the body through nicks caused by shaving, thus causing breast cancer. However, there is no evidence that chemicals are absorbed by this route. Nor is there any clear evidence that chemicals in deodorants or antiperspirants are actually toxic or that they cause breast cancer.
Has any scientific research found that deodorants or antiperspirants are associated with breast cancer?
Two studies have suggested that deodorants and antiperspirants may increase the risk of breast cancer. However, experts agree that the evidence provided by these studies is inconclusive.
One study, published in 2003 in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention, interviewed 437 women with breast cancer about their past and present use of deodorants. The study reported that women who applied deodorant at least twice a week and shaved their armpits at least three times a week developed breast cancer almost 15 years younger than women who did neither. Neither shaving nor applying a deodorant alone was linked with a younger age of diagnosis of the disease. However, the way this study was carried out has been heavily criticised by experts. Particularly because it did not include women who didn’t have breast cancer and relied on women remembering how often they used deodorant and shaved their armpits in the past.
The second study, published in 2004 in the Journal of Applied Toxicology, looked at synthetic chemicals called parabens.
Parabens are used in a wide range of cosmetic products, including some deodorants, although over 90% of deodorants are paraben-free. The researchers looked at 20 human breast tumour samples and found that parabens were present in 18 of them. They concluded that these results suggested that parabens in deodorants could be absorbed through the skin and increase the risk of breast cancer. Again, many experts have raised concerns about the conclusions of this study.
For example, the study was very small, it did not look at the level of parabens in breast tissue of women without breast cancer, nor did it establish that the parabens actually came from deodorants or that they were absorbed through the armpits. At the moment, all the study has shown is that the body can absorb parabens and that these chemicals are found in some breast cancer tissue. It does not show that parabens can increase the risk of or cause breast cancer.
Has any research suggested that deodorants or antiperspirants are not associated with breast cancer?
Yes. The largest study to date to investigate this issue examined the deodorant or antiperspirant use and underarm shaving habits of 813 women with breast cancer and 793 women with no history of the disease. The study found no evidence of a link between using deodorants or antiperspirants - alone or together with underarm shaving - and breast cancer risk. The study was published in 2002 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Is there a link between deodorants or antiperspirants and breast cancer?
Stories claiming that using deodorants or antiperspirants increases the risk of breast cancer have been circulating on the internet and by email for several years. This issue also gets a lot of press coverage from time to time. Since these claims began to circulate some studies have looked at the possible link between deodorants/antiperspirants and breast cancer. But there is still no good scientific evidence that a link exists.
What is the difference between deodorants and antiperspirants?
Antiperspirants work by closing, clogging or blocking the pores that release perspiration. Deodorants, on the other hand, do not stop perspiration. Instead, they work by neutralising the smell of perspiration.
Why do some people think there might be a link between deodorants or antiperspirants and breast cancer?
There have been two theories behind the possible link between deodorants and/or antiperspirants and breast cancer. Many of the articles in the press and on the internet propose that toxins are removed from the body in the form of perspiration. The articles claim that, by preventing perspiration, antiperspirants stop the body from getting rid of toxins from under the arms. According to the reports, these toxins accumulate near the breast and can cause breast cells to become cancerous. However, perspiration is not one of the major ways that the body eliminates toxins – the liver and kidneys play a far more important role. The main function of
perspiration is to help your body to cool down.
Other reports have also claimed that both antiperspirants and deodorants contain toxic chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin or enter the body through nicks caused by shaving, thus causing breast cancer. However, there is no evidence that chemicals are absorbed by this route. Nor is there any clear evidence that chemicals in deodorants or antiperspirants are actually toxic or that they cause breast cancer.
Has any scientific research found that deodorants or antiperspirants are associated with breast cancer?
Two studies have suggested that deodorants and antiperspirants may increase the risk of breast cancer. However, experts agree that the evidence provided by these studies is inconclusive.
One study, published in 2003 in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention, interviewed 437 women with breast cancer about their past and present use of deodorants. The study reported that women who applied deodorant at least twice a week and shaved their armpits at least three times a week developed breast cancer almost 15 years younger than women who did neither. Neither shaving nor applying a deodorant alone was linked with a younger age of diagnosis of the disease. However, the way this study was carried out has been heavily criticised by experts. Particularly because it did not include women who didn’t have breast cancer and relied on women remembering how often they used deodorant and shaved their armpits in the past.
The second study, published in 2004 in the Journal of Applied Toxicology, looked at synthetic chemicals called parabens.
Parabens are used in a wide range of cosmetic products, including some deodorants, although over 90% of deodorants are paraben-free. The researchers looked at 20 human breast tumour samples and found that parabens were present in 18 of them. They concluded that these results suggested that parabens in deodorants could be absorbed through the skin and increase the risk of breast cancer. Again, many experts have raised concerns about the conclusions of this study.
For example, the study was very small, it did not look at the level of parabens in breast tissue of women without breast cancer, nor did it establish that the parabens actually came from deodorants or that they were absorbed through the armpits. At the moment, all the study has shown is that the body can absorb parabens and that these chemicals are found in some breast cancer tissue. It does not show that parabens can increase the risk of or cause breast cancer.
Has any research suggested that deodorants or antiperspirants are not associated with breast cancer?
Yes. The largest study to date to investigate this issue examined the deodorant or antiperspirant use and underarm shaving habits of 813 women with breast cancer and 793 women with no history of the disease. The study found no evidence of a link between using deodorants or antiperspirants - alone or together with underarm shaving - and breast cancer risk. The study was published in 2002 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
Axillary Hyperhidrosis Treatment
Excessive underarm sweating can become an annoying problem for those suffering from this condition. Axillary hyperhidrosis manifests itself through an increased underarm sweat production and this is triggered by the sympathetic nervous system. A malfunction in the nerves controlling underarm sweat glands leads to excessive sweat production, resulting in constantly moist armpits. Often associated with the negative effects of palmar hyperhidrosis, axillary hyperhidrosis is sometimes triggered by exterior factors such as anxiety, psychological stress and tiredness. This is not a rule, however, and there may be no clearly identified stimuli that trigger excessive underarm sweat.
Treatment for Sweaty Underarms
There are several methods of reducing the effects of axillary hyperhidrosis. Antiperspirants are among the most commonly used treatments for sweaty underarms, and they work well for reducing milder cases of this condition. Deodorants are succesfuly used to relieve patients of some of the worries caused by excessive sweat. When the effects of antiperspirants are not strong enough, some consider surgical procedures to eliminate the problem. The underarm sweat glands can be surgically cut so that their production doesn't exceed regular limits, but this si a complicated and costly procedure. However, sinc antiperspirants are the most common choice for patients, we will have a detailed look at their effects.
The Efficiency of Antiperspirants in Combating Hyperhidrosis
Antiperspirants are useful for treating milder cases of hyperhidrosis, as they can diminsih the negative effects of excessive sweating. By targeting specific sweat glands, antiperspirants significantly reduce the sweat production and increase the dryness of the skin in the areas where they are applied. Various products come in different forms, such as deodorants and medication. Deodorants are the most widespread form of antiperspirants, as they are easy to use and producce very little or no discomfort.
Axillary hyperhidrosis
One of the most effective chemical compounds used for hyperhidrosis treatment is Aluminum Chloride. Used in higher concentrations, Aluminum Chloride has a faster impact on the sweat glands, reducing their excessive production. Aluminum Chloride products work best at night time, when the sweat glands show a reduced activity, and long term results may show some improvement concerning excessive sweating of the armpits.
Axillary Hyperhidrosis and Its Social Implications
While from a medical point of view, sweaty underarms do not represent a health risk, they are hard to deal with in society. The discomfort of constantly having damp underams is increased by the fear that clothing accessories will become sweaty. Axillary hyperhidrosis treatment is seen as a necessary thing by many who suffer from this condition, as they feel this problem is affecting their social interactions. People who suffer from any form of excessive sweat are faced with some difficult social and psychological issues. Many are overwhelmed by these problems and become somewhat anti social and have difficulties integrating in groups. Career plans are also placed under the negative shadow of axillary hyperhidrosis, as self confidence and self esteem levels tend to drop.
Treatment for Sweaty Underarms
There are several methods of reducing the effects of axillary hyperhidrosis. Antiperspirants are among the most commonly used treatments for sweaty underarms, and they work well for reducing milder cases of this condition. Deodorants are succesfuly used to relieve patients of some of the worries caused by excessive sweat. When the effects of antiperspirants are not strong enough, some consider surgical procedures to eliminate the problem. The underarm sweat glands can be surgically cut so that their production doesn't exceed regular limits, but this si a complicated and costly procedure. However, sinc antiperspirants are the most common choice for patients, we will have a detailed look at their effects.
The Efficiency of Antiperspirants in Combating Hyperhidrosis
Antiperspirants are useful for treating milder cases of hyperhidrosis, as they can diminsih the negative effects of excessive sweating. By targeting specific sweat glands, antiperspirants significantly reduce the sweat production and increase the dryness of the skin in the areas where they are applied. Various products come in different forms, such as deodorants and medication. Deodorants are the most widespread form of antiperspirants, as they are easy to use and producce very little or no discomfort.
Axillary hyperhidrosis
One of the most effective chemical compounds used for hyperhidrosis treatment is Aluminum Chloride. Used in higher concentrations, Aluminum Chloride has a faster impact on the sweat glands, reducing their excessive production. Aluminum Chloride products work best at night time, when the sweat glands show a reduced activity, and long term results may show some improvement concerning excessive sweating of the armpits.
Axillary Hyperhidrosis and Its Social Implications
While from a medical point of view, sweaty underarms do not represent a health risk, they are hard to deal with in society. The discomfort of constantly having damp underams is increased by the fear that clothing accessories will become sweaty. Axillary hyperhidrosis treatment is seen as a necessary thing by many who suffer from this condition, as they feel this problem is affecting their social interactions. People who suffer from any form of excessive sweat are faced with some difficult social and psychological issues. Many are overwhelmed by these problems and become somewhat anti social and have difficulties integrating in groups. Career plans are also placed under the negative shadow of axillary hyperhidrosis, as self confidence and self esteem levels tend to drop.
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