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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: Brown rice causes cancer

Diet & nutrition
Probably not true

What you may have heard Consuming brown rice may increase your risk of cancer due to arsenic exposure. This concern contrasts with the common belief that brown rice has many nutritional benefits, including high fiber and nutrient content. What the science tells us Arsenic accumulates in the outer layers of the rice grain, which makes…

Brown rice, uncooked in a bowl with some outside the bowl.

CLAIM: Eating peanut butter causes cancer

Diet & nutrition
Probably not true

What you may have heard Peanut butter consumption can increase your risk of cancer due to potential aflatoxin contamination. What the science tells us Aflatoxins are a family of carcinogenic compounds produced by mold and can be found on various crops, including peanuts, tree nuts, and corn. If contaminated peanuts are used in production, aflatoxins…

peanut butter

CLAIM: Microwave popcorn causes cancer

Diet & nutrition
Probably not true

What you may have heard Some people believe that microwave popcorn causes cancer, especially because of chemicals once used in the bags or artificial butter flavoring. What science tells us Microwave popcorn itself is not linked directly to cancer. Concerns have focused on older packaging materials that contained PFAS and butter flavorings that contained a…

Microwave popcorn

CLAIM: High-voltage power lines cause cancer

Occupational & environmental exposure
Probably not true

What you may have heard Some people believe that living near high-voltage power lines can cause cancer, especially childhood leukemia. Concerns center on the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) that these lines emit. What science tells us High-voltage lines emit extremely low-frequency EMFs (ELF-EMFs), a weaker form of radiation. This type of radiation is not strong enough…

High-voltage wires

CLAIM: Fluoride in drinking water causes cancer

Diet & nutrition Occupational & environmental exposure
Probably not true

What you may have heard Fluoride, which is commonly added to drinking water to prevent tooth decay, is linked to an increased risk of cancer. What the science tells us Epidemiological Evidence: Numerous large-scale epidemiological studies have investigated the possible connection between fluoride levels in drinking water and cancer rates. Most of these studies have…

Person filling up a glass of water at the kitchen sink

CLAIM: 5G technology increases the risk of cancer

Consumer products
Probably not true

What you may have heard You might have heard that 5G technology can cause cancer because it uses higher frequency waves than older mobile networks. What the science tells us Epidemiological Evidence Many studies have looked into whether cell phones, including 5G, cause cancer. So far, most studies have not found a clear link between…

Cell phone with 5G