One habit that raises breast cancer risk and one that doesn’t
UCI Health oncologist distinguishes facts from myths
IN THE NEWS: Breast cancer doesn’t have just one cause. Genetics, the environment and certain lifestyle habits may play a role. Scientific research has clearly linked one common habit with an increased risk: drinking alcohol.
Dr. Nellie Nafissi, a board-certified oncologist with UCI Health Breast Cancer Care Services, who specializes in breast cancer care, recently told Parade that research clearly associates drinking alcohol with an increased risk.
“Alcohol is a carcinogen, so its breakdown products can directly cause damage to cells. That can lead to cancer.”
She adds that alcohol also can increase estrogen levels, which can contribute to increased breast cancer risk.
In a separate discussion, Nafissi spoke with Parade about a common bathroom item that some people mistakenly believe increases breast cancer risk: deodorants and antiperspirants.
“The best study we have on this included about 800 patients and did not show any increased risk for breast cancer with antiperspirant use.”
One possible reason for this myth is that some studies have shown that aluminum — the active ingredient in antiperspirants — can accumulate in breast tissue and interfere with cell repair and estrogen activity. Nafissi points out that those study results have never been replicated in humans.
“Our skin is a great and strong barrier. The data overall supports the safety of antiperspirant use.”
Nafissi is a board-certified UCI Health oncologist who specializes in the management of patients with breast cancer. She is skilled at providing compassionate, personalized care to support patients through every phase of diagnosis, treatment and recovery. As an assistant professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the UC Irvine School of Medicine, Nafissi has a special interest in quality of life improvement in those with triple negative breast cancer.
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About UCI Health
UCI Health is one of California’s largest academic health systems and the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. Established on July 1, 1976, UCI Health has grown into a 1,513-bed health system that includes UCI Health — Orange, UCI Health — Irvine, its newest facility, UCI Health — Irvine Rehabilitation Hospital, four Community Network hospitals and a growing network of ambulatory care centers across Orange and Los Angeles counties. As Orange County’s only academic health system, UCI Health is home to the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center based in the county, the region’s only American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, American College of Emergency Physicians Gold Level 1 Geriatric Emergency Department and a nationally recognized regional burn center verified by the American Burn Association. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people across Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County through excellence in patient care, research and medical education. Follow UCI Health on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.