When it comes to cancer prevention, it’s great to be proactive. Scientific research shows that 40% of cancer cases in the U.S. are preventable and that 44% of cancer deaths in 2025 are attributed to changeable behaviors.
Maintaining healthy habits like having a nutrient-rich diet, exercising, getting enough sleep, protecting your skin from the sun and not using tobacco make a major difference. All the little habits you do every day matter.
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While it’s important to be aware of how your daily habits impact your health, including your risk of cancer, it’s also important not to live your life in fear. Especially if you have a family history of cancer, it’s easy to become obsessed with doing everything you can to mitigate your risk. Sometimes, this can lead to believing myths that aren’t backed by science.
There’s one myth in particular that oncologists repeatedly encounter when it comes to breast cancer. It’s a habit many people think increases the risk of breast cancer, but actually doesn’t.
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The Breast Cancer Myth Oncologists Wish People Would Stop Believing
One myth that three oncologists told Parade that they wished people would stop believing is that using antiperspirant causes breast cancer. Antiperspirant is applied the same way as deodorant, but antiperspirants prevent sweating, which is something deodorants can’t do. The main active ingredient in antiperspirant is aluminum, which blocks the pores on the outer layer of skin. This makes it more difficult for sweat to be released.
“There is no scientific evidence showing that using antiperspirant or deodorant causes breast cancer,” says Dr. Monique Gary, DO, FACS, a breast surgical oncologist and chief medical officer of Bexa as well as the founder of the nonprofit Still Rise Farms.
Dr. Nellie Nafissi, MD, an oncologist with UCI Health specializing in breast cancer, says this too. “The best study we have on this included about 800 patients and did not show any increased risk for breast cancer with antiperspirant use,” she says. The study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, found that neither antiperspirant nor deodorant was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
“The National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society do not consider antiperspirants or deodorants to be established causes of breast cancer. If you prefer to use them, there is no evidence that you need to stop because of concerns about breast cancer,” says Dr. Muhammad Z. Afzal, MD, an oncologist at Dartmouth Cancer Center.
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Where Did This Myth Come From?
If there’s no scientific evidence that antiperspirant causes breast cancer, why do so many people believe it does? Dr. Gary says that she can understand why people ask about it. “You’re applying something every day right next to the breast, so it’s not an unreasonable question. But being close to the breast doesn’t mean something causes breast cancer, and the research has not established that connection,” she says.
Dr. Afzal adds that a large proportion of breast cancers occur in the upper outer part of the breast, near the armpit. But he explains that this is largely because there is more breast tissue in that area, not because of deodorant or antiperspirant use.
All three oncologists say that the confusion centers around aluminum, which is the active ingredient in antiperspirant. Dr. Nafissi says that some studies have shown that aluminum can accumulate in breast tissue and interfere with cell repair and estrogen signaling. But she says that it’s important to know that these studies were “in vitro,” which means they were done on a cellular level, and they were not replicated in humans or “in vivo.”
“Those findings have not been proven to equate to an increased risk of breast cancer. Our skin is a great and strong barrier. The data overall supports the safety of antiperspirant use,” Dr. Nafissi says.
Dr. Afzal adds that another reason why this myth has persisted is due to claims that antiperspirants “trap toxins” in the body. This, he says, isn’t true. “Sweat is primarily involved in regulating body temperature. The body’s liver and kidneys play the major roles in removing waste products and toxins,” he explains.
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Other Breast Cancer Myths That Aren’t True
Believing that antiperspirant causes breast cancer isn’t the only myth oncologists wish people would stop believing. Here are six more myths the doctors we talked to want to put to rest, for good.
1. If breast cancer doesn’t run in your family, you’re not at risk.
“I hear all the time, ‘Breast cancer doesn’t run in my family, so I’m not at risk.’ Most women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease. Family history is important, but it is only one part of your risk,” Dr. Gary says. To this point, between 85 and 90% of people diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of it.
2. Underwire bras cause breast cancer.
If you favor underwire bras, rest assured that you are not increasing your risk of breast cancer by wearing them. “There is no evidence that wearing an underwire bra increases breast cancer risk,” Dr. Afzal says.
3. Mammograms cause cancer because of the radiation.
PSA: Do not skip your mammogram because you think it will give you cancer. “There is a myth that mammograms can cause cancer due to the radiation exposure or from the compression of the breast. There is no data to support this,” Dr. Nafissi says.
In fact, she emphasizes that mammograms play an important role in breast cancer detection. “A mammogram is the best test we have available for the early detection of breast cancer. The radiation exposure is minimal, and any risks associated with the test are far outweighed by the benefit of early detection. Women with average risk should begin screening with mammograms at age 40,” she says.
4. The only breast change to worry about is finding a lump.
While it is important to be familiar with your breasts and alert your doctor if you find a lump, Dr. Gary says that this isn’t the only change to be on the lookout for. “A lump is one possible sign, but breast cancer can also show up as changes in the skin or nipple, nipple discharge, swelling, a change in the size or shape of the breast or something that simply looks or feels different from your normal,” she says. If you notice any change at all with your breasts, it’s worth telling your doctor about.
On a related note, Dr. Afzal says that just because you found a lump doesn’t mean you have breast cancer. While it’s still a good idea to get it checked out, he emphasizes that most lumps are harmless.
5. Bumping or bruising your breast can cause cancer.
While a hit to the boob may be painful, fortunately, it’s not going to cause any lasting damage. “An injury does not cause breast cancer,” Dr. Afzal says.
6. Men can’t get breast cancer.
While breast cancer is much less common in men than in women, all three oncologists say that men can still get it. Unlike with women, a significant portion of male breast cancer cases are hereditary. Because of this, men with a family history of breast, ovarian or prostate cancer should consider talking to their doctor about genetic counseling as a way to assess their risk of breast cancer.
Between social media, AI and ill-intentioned companies trying to profit off consumers’ fear of cancer, there’s a lot of misinformation out there. “Reliable sources include your doctor, the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society,” Dr. Afzal says.
If you have any questions about your own personal risks of breast cancer, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor. But after you do what you can, don’t obsess over what’s out of your control. Doing what you can to lower your risk of cancer is important, but fear shouldn’t control your life.
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Sources
Cancer Prevention—Small Choices, Big Impact. Cancer Research Institute. Antiperspirant vs. Deodorant: What’s the Difference? Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Monique Gary, DO, FACS, breast surgical oncologist and chief medical officer of Bexa as well as the founder of the nonprofit Still Rise Farms. Dr. Nellie Nafissi, MD, oncologist with UCI Health specializing in breast cancer. Mirick, D. K., Davis, S. and Thomas, D. B. (2002). Antiperspirant use and the risk of breast cancer. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 94(20):1578-80. Antiperspirants/Deodorants and Breast Cancer. National Cancer Institute. Antiperspirants and Breast Cancer Risk. American Cancer Society. Dr. Muhammad Z. Afzal, MD, oncologist at Dartmouth Cancer Center. Sawicka, E. and Wiatrowska, N. (2024). The Potential Metalloestrogenic Effect of Aluminum on Breast Cancer Risk for Antiperspirant Users. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 26(1):99. Breast Cancer Facts and Statistics. Breastcancer.org. Mouelle, M., Meka, E., Mathelin, C., et al. (2023). Management of men with high genetic risk of breast cancer. Is there a place for screening or risk-reducing surgery? Case review and report. Current Problems in Cancer: Case Reports. doi.org/10.1016/j.cpccr.2023.100220.Hence then, the article about this common bathroom habit does not cause breast cancer here s how the myth started was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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