Breast Cancer, Aluminium anti-perspirants

[Two_Sheds]

Yup, another health scare. This one has re-surfaced after previously being discredited. On the news tonight, a doctor has found a link between aluminium (used in anti-perspirants) and breast tumours.

I know, you can't give up everything, and you could get run over by a bus, but ... do you actually lay down in the middle of the bus lane? ?

I reckon, use an alternative, there are many products to stop you smelling that don't contain aluminium.

[Sue]

Two Sheds
I stopped using anti-persperant (my sister and I did a mutual sniff test after a hard day at the allotment and we thought we were not too wiffy) I've gone on to using Alum in the stick form which lasts a year and acts as a deoderant only, that is supposed to be quite benign?
Sue

[moggssue]

Okay, so can anyone recommend a tried and tested alternative? I've heard these stories on and off over the years and would be keen to use something 'friendlier'.

[Rowan]

Unless you have a serious problem, you could try just putting up with a slight smell of sweat! Even if aluminium isn't dangerous, anti-perspirants contain parabens and all sorts of other nasties. Then there's the small point that sweating is natural - it cools us and helps rid the body of waste products. If you actually stop yourself sweating, I suspect THIS is what causes any health risks.
I get very annoyed at all the obsessive-compulsive ads these days. Typical scenario: You have friends to visit. One goes to the toilet. She is disgusted because ... you once did a poo in the loo! Shock horror! For goodness sake - I shout at the telly - get some friends who know you're not an android and there won't be a problem!

[moggssue]

I have to admit I've never tried going without ... think I'll experiment at home this weekend, when there's only OH to notice!! And I do agree Rowan with some of the ads on tv these days and the attempt to sell us so many things we didnt know we needed and supposedly cant possibly live without.

[Two_Sheds]

Yay, Rowan, brilliant, I'm with you. What a lot of useless stuff there is now. I am trying to wean OH off buying the most expensive branded products in favour of Basics (often made in same factory).

Anyway, as for anti-perspirants: Crystal Rok? And washing every day helps a lot (its obvious, but a lotta people just spray more stuff on instead of washing). A lot of the smell is in your clothes not on your skin, so clean clothes ...

As for poo in the loo ... burn a match in the bowl. It burns off the gasses (as any schoolboy who tried to light his farts will know)

[moggssue]

Eeee, I cant believe there are people who dont wash every day at least once?! Put me off me dindin!! I agree with the match in the loo, it works wonders for OH!

[yoanbob]

its not just deodrants either its in all your plastic packaging as well, carcenogenic and causes low sperm counts, just wash the smell is bacteria growing on your sweat not the sweat itself.

[Alison]

I use one of these http://shop.wwf.org.uk/Detail.aspx?id=150712 it's really good. Lasts me about 2 years (honest), no nasties, no white marks and no smelly armpits! You just rub it on after a shower when your arm pits are still wet and you're sorted for the day. It stands up perfectly well to sports too so am well happy!

[moggssue]

Thanks for that Alison, think I'll give it a go.

[Sue]

Alison
Yup, will second that
Sue

[valmarg]

The report only seems to be on female breast cancers.

Men are using deodorants as much as women these days. Has there also been an increased incidence of male breast cancer?

valmarg

[rustylady]

Don't you think that maybe antiperspirants and deodorants have been accepted as necessary by the general public because they were very cleverly marketed? After all, as they say, you don't know you need something until you see it advertised. Fresh sweat doesn't smell (except maybe a little of salt) and if you wash or wipe regularly there shouldn't be a problem. I do agree that in these days of overheated offices/shops/factories this may be a factor, but anyone who has a good hygiene regime should be OK. Perhaps we have forgotten what we are supposed to smell like?

[Alison]

The report only seems to be on female breast cancers.

Men are using deodorants as much as women these days. Has there also been an increased incidence of male breast cancer?

valmarg

Interesting point, not heard any but then again I didn't realise that men could get breast cancer until the last few years as it isn't something that was talked about.

[Alison]

Thanks for that Alison, think I'll give it a go.

Alison
Yup, will second that
Sue

Oooo, hope you get on OK with it then , don't blame me if it doesn't work for you but perhaps I should ask for commission........