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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: Stress causes cancer

Lifestyle
Definitely or most likely true

What science tells us Short-term or acute stress, such as stress you might feel before giving a speech, tends to go away soon after the stressful event. Long-term or chronic stress, however, is more damaging. Chronic stress can weaken your immune system and increase your blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar levels. Chronic stress…

Hands breaking a pencil

CLAIM: Sitting too close to the TV causes cancer

Lifestyle
Definitely or most likely not true

What you may have heard The Daily Mirror published a story in 2003 claiming that sitting too close to the TV for prolonged periods of time increases cancer risk. What science tells us Older TVs gave off low levels of radiation, but modern TVs are built with proper shielding, so people are protected from potential…

Young child sitting right in front of a television, staring into the screen.

CLAIM: Obesity causes cancer

Diet & nutrition Lifestyle
Definitely or most likely true

What you may have heard Obesity has been linked to various types of cancers. What science tells us Obesity or high body mass index (BMI) is a condition in which a person has an unhealthy amount and/or distribution of body fat. To measure obesity, researchers often use the BMI scale, which is determined by dividing…

Torso of an overweight person grabbing their excess fat

CLAIM: Sedentary behavior increases cancer risk

Lifestyle
Definitely or most likely true

What you may have heard Low levels of physical activity are linked to increased risk of several types of cancer (NCI). What science tells us We know less about the relationship between sedentary behavior (long amounts of sitting or laying down) and cancer risk, but recent research suggests that sedentary behavior is an independent risk…

Photo of hands holding video game controllers

CLAIM: Low physical activity increases cancer risk

Lifestyle
Definitely or most likely true

What you may have heard Low physical activity increases risk of developing cancer. What science tells us Epidemiological Evidence There is strong evidence that higher levels of physical activity are linked to lower risk of several types of cancer. Much of this evidence is published in “meta-analyses,” or statistical comparisons between multiple studies that address…

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

CLAIM: Acrylamide (food ingredient) increases cancer risk

Diet & nutrition Lifestyle
Impact on cancer risk undetermined

What you may have heard You may have heard that acrylamide (an ingredient in some foods) increases cancer risk. What science tells us Acrylamide is a chemical that is used in industrial processes, such as the production of paper, dyes, and plastics, and consumer products, such as food packaging and adhesives. Acrylamide is also found…

Well-done potato wedges
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