Factfinder Tool - Cancer FactFinder

CLAIM: Gel manicures increase the risk of developing skin cancer

What you may have heard UV lamps used in gel manicures can cause skin cancer due to the UV radiation they emit, similar to tanning beds. What science tells us Epidemiological Evidence: The evidence from epidemiological studies is currently inconclusive. While there have been anecdotal reports of individuals developing skin cancer on their hands after…

CLAIM: Gas stoves and the use of butane are linked to an increased risk of cancer

Consumer products Occupational & environmental exposure

Definitely or most likely true

What you may have heard Cooking with gas stoves or using butane can release harmful chemicals into the air, potentially increasing the risk of cancer. What the science tells us Epidemiological Evidence There is substantial epidemiological evidence linking gas stove use to adverse health outcomes. For instance, a 2013 meta-analysis concluded that children living in…

Close-up photo of a burner on a gas stove that is lit.

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…

CLAIM: Tampons (with Titanium dioxide) cause cancer

Consumer products

Definitely or most likely not true

What you may have heard You may have seen a viral TikTok video claiming that tampons contain an ingredient called titanium dioxide, which is responsible for increasing the risk of cancer. What science tells us Titanium dioxide is used as a pigment in the thread attached to tampons. Less than 0.1% of titanium dioxide is…

CLAIM: Disposable chopsticks cause cancer

Consumer products

Definitely or most likely not true

What you may have heard Commercially manufactured disposable chopsticks contain cancer-causing chemicals. What science tells us The claim that disposable chopsticks contain aflatoxin, a known carcinogen, is unproven. Aflatoxins are chemicals produced by certain fungi and are found on agricultural crops such as corn, peanuts, and tree nuts. People may be exposed to aflatoxins by…

CLAIM: Insect repellents with DEET cause cancer

Consumer products

Definitely or most likely not true

What you may have heard The use of bug spray with DEET can cause cancer. What science tells us Much of the concern about insect repellents is with one of its most common ingredients: N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, known commonly as DEET. DEET gives bug spray its strong chemical smell, which is used to repel biting insects, such…

CLAIM: Loom bands increase the risk of cancer

Consumer products

Impact on cancer risk undetermined

What you may have heard Loom bands were pulled from shelves due to concerns about cancer risk. What science tells us Rainbow Loom is a plastic device used to weave small, colored rubber bands (loom bands) into jewelry. Loom bands were pulled from the shelves after they were found to contain high levels of phthalates.…

CLAIM: Scented candles cause cancer

Consumer products

Definitely or most likely true

What you may have heard Burning scented candles emits cancer-causing chemicals. What science tells us Burning scented candles could lead to cancer-causing exposures through wax and wicks. Some aromatherapy candles are made of paraffin, which is a petroleum byproduct that releases carcinogenic soot when burned (Green America). At high exposure levels, this soot can also…

CLAIM: Antiperspirants and deodorants increase the risk of breast cancer

Consumer products

Definitely or most likely not true

What you may have heard Antiperspirants and deodorants contain cancer-causing substances that are absorbed, particularly after shaving. What science tells us Antiperspirants are classified as a drug that helps reduce the amount of sweat produced. The eccrine gland produces sweat and antiperspirants can block the production of sweat using an aluminum-based product (WebMD). Deodorants are…

CLAIM: Cosmetics can increase cancer risk

Consumer products

Impact on cancer risk undetermined

What you may have heard Cosmetics and their ingredients are frequently discussed in the media as being associated with cancer. What science tells us The FDA defines cosmetics as “articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced to, or otherwise applied to the human body…for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the…

A vareity of cosmetics and make-up brushes

CLAIM: Wearing bras can cause breast cancer

Consumer products

Definitely or most likely not true

What you may have heard Wearing bras causes cancer. What science tells us Epidemiological Evidence There has been concern that bra-wearing changes how lymph nodes remove waste and toxins from the breast. However, there is no epidemiological evidence to support this claim. The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle interviewed over 1,000 women with…

CLAIM: Cell phone use causes cancer

Consumer products

Definitely or most likely not true

What you may have heard Keeping your phone close to your body or head can increase your risk of cancer. What science tells us Phones emit RF (Radiofrequency) waves, which are a form of non-ionizing radiation. This means that they do not have enough energy to directly damage DNA inside cells and cause cancer (ACS,…

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