Don’t believe the hocus-pocus.

Health and Fitness Alexandria Virginia

No more April fools! Don’t be scammed by these e-mail rumors making the rounds.

Should you believe that scary e-mail forward?

By Lynn Harris

Deodorant causes cancer!
Several sets of e-mail forwards charge that antiperspirants, underarm shaving and underwire bras cause breast cancer. But the American Cancer Society says there’s no credible research to back those claims. (One clue any e-mail is a hoax? Exuberant punctuation AND CAPITAL LETTERS!!!)

Tampons are toxic!
Some e-mails claim tampons contain asbestos to promote bleeding (so you’ll buy more). Says Newark, New Jersey, ob-gyn Sharon Mass, M.D.: Tampons don’t contain asbestos. Period. They can lead to toxic shock syndrome if left in for too long, but it’s rare; there were fewer than 10 menstrual-related cases nationwide during the most recent year on record.

Carmex is addictive!
Urban legend e-mails say the lip balm contains drying ingredients—even ground glass—that make lips drier and turn people into Carmex junkies. Simply false, says dermatologist Zoe Draelos, M.D. What does dry out lips? Licking them a lot.

NutraSweet is nutra-sick!
Alarming missives assert that NutraSweet, aka aspartame, has caused an epidemic of lupus, multiple sclerosis and cancer. But the Food and Drug Administration says current research shows aspartame is safe (except for people with the genetic disorder phenylketonuria, who can’t metabolize it).

Rapists sterilize women!
Scary e-mails claim rapists prowling your town are using a drug called Progesterex to sterilize victims—so perps can’t be identified by paternity. The truth? No such drug. Hoaxers love to prey on female-specific fears, which actually distract you from other important health issues, says Marc Siegel, M.D., author of False Alarm: The Truth About the Epidemic of Fear.

http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/2008/03/health-hoaxes