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Fact Finder Tool

Discover insights, research, and information to help you navigate cancer-related topics with confidence.

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CLAIM: PFAS exposure might increase your risk of cancer

Consumer products Occupational & environmental exposure
Definitely or most likely true

What you may have heard Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), such as PFOA and PFOS, might increase your risk of cancer. What the science tells us PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid) and PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate) are part of a larger group of man-made chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These chemicals have been in…

Non-stick frying pan isolated on beige background

CLAIM: Potassium bromate is linked to cancer

Diet & nutrition
Definitely or most likely true

What you may have heard Potassium bromate is used in baking and is linked to cancer. What science tells us Potassium bromate is a flour improver used in baking to strengthen dough, increase bread volume, and produce a fine crumb structure. It is commonly found in white flour, bread, and rolls. Potassium bromate has been…

Shelves of supermarket bread.

CLAIM: Night shift work causes cancer

Lifestyle
Definitely or most likely true

What you may have heard Some studies suggest that people who work night shifts have a higher risk of cancer, especially breast cancer in women. The theory is that disrupting the body’s natural sleep–wake cycle (circadian rhythm) and suppressing melatonin may promote tumor development. What science tells us In 2019, the International Agency for Research…

Construction worker working at night

CLAIM: Not getting enough exercise causes cancer

Lifestyle
Definitely or most likely true

What you may have heard You may have heard that being inactive or doing very little exercise can increase cancer risk. Studies have shown that not moving enough, especially alongside other lifestyle factors, can raise the chance of developing certain cancers. What science tells us Cancer authorities note that physical inactivity is a preventable risk…

man at home lying on couch in living room with popcorn watching tv holding remote control.

CLAIM: Perchloroethylene in Dry Cleaning causes cancer

Occupational & environmental exposure
Definitely or most likely true

What you may have heard Perchloroethylene, also called PCE or tetrachloroethylene, is commonly used in dry cleaning and some industrial degreasers. You may have heard that long-term exposure can cause cancer, especially among workers in dry-cleaning facilities or people living near contaminated sites. What science tells us PCE is a chlorinated solvent that can be…

Photo of dry cleaned shirts in plastic on a rack.

CLAIM: Night shift work increases your risk of breast cancer

Lifestyle
Definitely or most likely true

What you may have heard Frequent night shift work may be associated with a higher risk of breast cancer in women. What the science tells us Essential to many industries, night shift work can take a toll on the body by disrupting its internal clock and interfering with biological processes. Circadian disruption occurs when sleep…

Woman appears to be working in a lab or hospital at night.

CLAIM: Drinking very hot beverages can increase your risk of cancer

Diet & nutrition
Definitely or most likely true

What you may have heard Frequent consumption of very hot beverages, like tea and maté, can raise your risk of developing esophageal cancer. What the science tells us Repeatedly drinking hot beverages can damage the lining of the esophagus, which may increase the risk of cancer over time. The International Agency for Research on Cancer…

Mug of hot liquid

CLAIM: Salt-preserved foods increase your risk of cancer

Diet & nutrition
Definitely or most likely true

What you may have heard High consumption of salt-preserved and pickled foods can increase your risk of gastric cancer. What the science tells us Salt-preserved food includes pickled vegetables, salted fish, and cured meat. Research suggests a correlation between salt-preserved foods and cancer risk, particularly in East Asian countries where consumption tends to be high.…

Pickled vegetables

CLAIM: Wood dust causes cancer

Occupational & environmental exposure
Definitely or most likely true

What you may have heard People say that jobs with heavy wood dust exposure raise cancer risk. The concern is strongest for cancers in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses among furniture makers, carpenters, and other woodworkers. What science tells us Major agencies classify wood dust as carcinogenic to humans. The International Agency for Research…

Carpenter blowing wood dust off a plank of wood

CLAIM: Wildfire smoke causes cancer

Occupational & environmental exposure
Definitely or most likely true

What you may have heard With worsening wildfires across the U.S. and globally, you may have heard that breathing in wildfire smoke could increase your risk of cancer. Some people are comparing it to cigarette smoke or living near highways. What science tells us Wildfire smoke contains a mix of known cancer-causing pollutants, including fine…

Overhead view of a neighborhood with wildfire smoke making it hazy

CLAIM: Traffic emissions cause cancer

Occupational & environmental exposure
Definitely or most likely true

What you may have heard You might’ve heard that living near highways or breathing in car exhaust can increase cancer risk. Some people compare it to secondhand smoke in terms of long-term health effects. What science tells us Traffic-related air pollution contains known carcinogens including benzene, diesel exhaust, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Repeated exposure,…

Cars and motorcycles in traffic and exhaust.