Does anyone know if the following is really true? I know antiperspirants are unhealthy for the body, but are they really linked to breast cancer? From: [log in to unmask] Full-name: Hershey579 Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2000 00:44:39 EDT Subject: Fwd: antiperspirants can lead to cancer aiight guys, ur probably thinkin the same thing i was when i first opened up this e-mail.. that its a bunch of bs... but all i can ask u to do is read it for yourself before u attempt to delete it... tc ally Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 10:24:35 -0400 From: himaia <[log in to unmask]> Subject: antiperspirants can lead to cancer This was written by Katrina Scott, Asst. Director of Sports Marketing at the University of Maryland. She Writes.... "Sometime ago, I attended a Breast Cancer Awareness seminar put on by Terry Birk with support from Dan Sullivan. During the Q & A period, I asked why the most common (and what seemed to be the deadliest) area for Breast Cancer was near the arm pit. My question could not be answered at that time. This email was just sent to me, and I find it interesting that my question has been answered. I challenge you all to rethink your everyday use of a product that could ultimately lead to a terminal illness. As of today, I will change my use. I showed it to a friend going through chemotherapy and she said she learned this fact in a support group recently. I wish I had known it 14 years ago. I just got information from a health seminar that I would like to share. The leading cause of breast cancer is the use of antiperspirant. What? A concentration of toxins builds up and leads to cell mutations: a.k.a. CANCER. Yes, ANTIPERSPIRANT. Most of the products out there are antiperspirant/deodorant combination so go home and check your labels. DEODORANT is fine, antiperspirant is not. Here's why. The human body has a few areas that it uses to purge toxins; behind the knees, behind the ears, groin area, and armpits. The toxins are purged in the form of perspiration. Antiperspirant, as the name clearly indicates, prevents you from perspiring, thereby inhibiting the body from purging toxins from below the armpits. These toxins do not just magically disappear. Instead, the body deposits them in the lymph nodes below the arms since it cannot sweat them out. Nearly all breast cancer tumors occur in the upper outside quadrant of the breast area. This is precisely where the lymph nodes are located. Additionally, men are less likely (but not completely exempt) to develop breast cancer prompted by antiperspirant usage because most of the antiperspirant product is caught in their hair and is not directly applied to the skin. Women who apply antiperspirant right after shaving increase the risk further because shaving causes almost imperceptible nicks in the skin which give the chemicals entrance into the body from the armpit area. PLEASE pass this along to anyone you care about. Breast Cancer is becoming frighteningly common. This awareness may save lives.