That's right, I'm talking about armpits, and why we should let them smell.
First, let me share a fact with you. According to breastcancer.org, "About 1 in 8 U.S. women (about 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. In 2016, an estimated 246,660 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 61,00 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer." Additionally about 1 in 1,000 men in 2016 will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.
This isn't just something women have to worry about anymore.
AND that's just breast cancer.
Now let's talk about deodorant. Yes, you heard me right, deodorant. Are you completely confused?
I know the two may seem totally irrelevant when talking about each other, but the thing is they aren't, and it's fucking scary to think so many people we care about casually use these products everyday.
To be honest a lot of the beauty products we use today from hair gels, to lotions, to makeup contain high amounts of parabens, and other highly toxic chemicals that are 100% proven to cause serious diseases, cancers, and illnesses.
I know we're a consumer society that wants cheap and easy, but cheap and easy haven't served us well. Our environment and bodies are now reaping the damages.
And if I told you that the National Cancer Institute has said, "Aluminum-based compounds are used as the active ingredient in antiperspirants," and research suggests that these compounds, "which are applied frequently and left on the skin near the breast, may be absorbed by the skin and cause estorgen-like effects," which "has the ability to promote the growth of breast cancer cells."
Sooooooooo, some scientists have suggested that the "aluminum-based compounds in antiperspirants may contribute to the development of breast cancer," would you still be putting this shit under your arms everyday?
I hope not.
Look I'd rather live in a culture that is slightly smelly, and a whole lot less sick.
I grew up on Long Island, and breast cancer for some crazy unknown reason plagues Long Island in a highly concentrated way more than any other area in the U.S.
My mom has had to fight her own battle with cancer, and countless friends have had to deal with breast cancer in some way. It's time we told cancer to FUCK OFF, and made real changes to how we treat our body.
If something as simple as using a deodorant without aluminum and parabens can reduce the risk, even if just a little, then so be it.
I hope you feel inspired to share this article, share your story, share the facts, so that we can all do our part in ending this far-too-long fight with cancer.
If you'd like to donate, or learn more about breast cancer, in any way, then head over to http://www.breastcancer.org/ and get the facts.
This blog piece is dedicate to my own mom, Beth Pall, my beloved Tricia Fideli, and all the amazing women and men out their fighting for their lives!
*Additionally, I want to make it crystal clear that the Schmidt's deodorant I'm using in the picture above isn't paying me in any way to promote it. It's simply a product I finally found that actually fights against odor, smells good, and is free of aluminum, propylene glycol, parabens, and phthalates. it's also gluten-free, certified vegan, and cruelty-free.
