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Cited by 66Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicalsCancer Risks and FactorsHeavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity

Use of Underarm Cosmetic Products in Relation to Risk of Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study

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Linhart, Caroline, Talasz, Heribert, Morandi, Evi M., Exley, Christopher, Lindner, Herbert H., Taucher, Susanne, Egle, Daniel, Hubalek, Michael +2 more·2017·EBioMedicine
DOI 10.1016/j.ebiom.2017.06.005PMC PMC5514401
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Previous studies on breast cancer (BC), underarm cosmetic products (UCP) and aluminum salts have shown conflicting results. We conducted a 1:1 age-matched case-control study to investigate the risk for BC in relation to self-reported UCP application. METHODS: Self-reported history of UCP use was compared between 209 female BC patients (cases) and 209 healthy controls. Aluminum concentration in breast tissue was measured in 100 cases and 52 controls. Multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for established BC risk factors. FINDINGS: Use of UCP was significantly associated with risk of BC (p=0.036). The risk for BC increased by an OR of 3.88 (95% CI 1.03-14.66) in women who reported using UCP's several times daily starting at an age earlier than 30years. Aluminum in breast tissue was found in both cases and controls and was significantly associated to self-reported UCP use (p=0.009). Median (interquartile) aluminum concentrations were significantly higher (p=0.001) in cases than in controls (5.8, 2.3-12.9 versus 3.8, 2.5-5.8nmol/g). INTERPRETATION: Frequent use of UCPs may lead to an accumulation of aluminum in breast tissue. More than daily use of UCPs at younger ages may increase the risk of BC.

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  • In a case control study, use of underarm cosmetic products containing Al was significantly associated with breast cancer incidence, and Al levels in breast tissues were significantly higher in breast cancer cases than controls (5.8 versus 3.8 nmol/g).

    “In a case control study (Linhart et al., 2017), the use of underarm cosmetic products containing Al was significantly associated with breast cancer incidence and the Al levels in breast tissues were significantly higher in breast cancer cases than controls (5.8 versus 3.8 nmol/g).”

    From Aluminium toxicosis: a review of toxic actions and effects (2019) · cites this paper as Linhart et al., 2017

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  • Al chlorohydrate in antiperspirant cosmetics and other underarm cosmetic products may be an important source of Al exposure.

    “Al chlorohydrate in antiperspirant cosmetics and other underarm cosmetic products may be an important source of Al exposure (Pineau et al., 2014; Linhart et al., 2017).”

    From Aluminium toxicosis: a review of toxic actions and effects (2019) · cites this paper as Linhart et al., 2017

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Cited by

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Authors
Linhart, C., Talasz, H., Morandi, E. M., Exley, C., Lindner, H. H., Taucher, S., Egle, D., Hubalek, M., Concin, N., & Ulmer, H.
Affiliations
  • Innsbruck Medical University (AT)
  • Keele University (GB)
Corresponding author
  • Concin, Nicole
  • Ulmer, Hanno
ORCID
Venue
EBioMedicine
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2017-07
Volume
21
Pages
79-85
ISSN
2352-3964 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.ebiom.2017.06.005
PMC
PMC5514401
OpenAlex
W2621480510
Cited by
66
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 3
FWCI
2.21
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • EBioMedicine (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Keele Research Repository (Keele University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer Risks and Factors
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity
Keywords
breast cancer, aluminum salts, breast cancer risk factors, aluminum exposure
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aluminum, Breast Neoplasms, Cosmetics, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Risk, Odds Ratio, Case-Control Studies, Young Adult

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