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Separating Medical Fact From Fiction

May 25, 2001

Within the past few years, an alarming number of false reports—hoaxes—have been widely disseminated over the Internet: antiperspirants can cause breast cancer; hantavirus can be transmitted by soda cans; even that HIV can be transmitted by unused sanitary pads. All are false, but still maddeningly pervasive.

In an effort to stop such hoaxes from becoming even more widespread, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has dedicated a new page on its web site to discuss such medical myths—and to set the record straight.

One of the most prevalent recent hoaxes has linked the use of antiperspirants and underarm deodorants with breast cancer. The original source of this misinformation is not clear, but it has garnered surprising publicity in a number of news outlets.

According to the CDC, scientists at the National Cancer Institute are not aware of any research to support a link between the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants and the subsequent development of breast cancer. Furthermore, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which regulates food, cosmetics, medicines, and medical devices, also does not have any evidence or research data to support the theory that ingredients in underarm antiperspirants or deodorants cause cancer. "Thus, there appears to be no basis for this concern," the CDC emphasizes.

The CDC also lists a number of other hoaxes on its site—and more are sure to be added in the coming months. For example:

"Hantavirus spread by contact with soda cans." (False) – An Internet e-mail has been circulating that a stock clerk became infected with hantavirus while working in a storeroom. The e-mail report is untrue. The CDC could not substantiate this report of a hantavirus infection, nor has the agency been asked to participate in an investigation of the incident described in the e-mail.

"HIV can spread through the air." (False) – A recent Weekly World News story made claims that the CDC had discovered a mutated version of HIV that is transmitted through the air. This story is not true. Many scientific studies have been done to look at all the possible ways that HIV is transmitted, none of which have shown HIV to be transmitted through air, water, insects, or casual contact.

"HIV can spread through unused feminine pads." (False) – HIV is a virus that is passed from one person to another through blood-to-blood and sexual contact with someone who is infected with HIV. In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their babies during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast-feeding. However, HIV cannot be transmitted through the use of new, unused feminine pads.

"Tampons contain asbestos." (False) – Rumors have circulated on the Internet that U.S tampon manufacturers add asbestos to their products to promote excessive menstrual bleeding in order to sell more tampons. The FDA has no evidence of asbestos in tampons or any reports regarding increased menstrual bleeding following tampon use. Asbestos is not an ingredient in any U.S. brand of tampon, nor is it associated with the fibers used in making tampons.

One interesting rumor that the CDC refutes on its site is that people are contracting the Klingerman virus from mailed packages. Unfortunately, there is a glitch to such reports—a so-called Klingerman virus does not exist!

SOURCE:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/hoax_rumors)

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