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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: Titanium dioxide in tampons causes 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…

A variety of sizes of tampons lined up

CLAIM: Pesticides cause cancer

Occupational & environmental exposure
Definitely or most likely true

What you may have heard Exposure to pesticides can increase the risk of developing cancer. What science tells us Pesticides are typically used in food production and to treat insect infestation. Mosquitos, ticks, rats, and mice can carry diseases, and pesticides can be used to limit human exposures to these pests (EPA).  Epidemiological Evidence It…

Man spraying a field.

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…

Disposable wooden chopsticks

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…

Woman spraying herself with a spray

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.…

Close-up photo of colorful loom bands

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…

Burning candles

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…

Woman applying deodorant

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…

Bras in different colors

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,…

Woman holiding a cell phone up to her ear

CLAIM: Standing near a microwave while using it causes cancer

Consumer products Diet & nutrition
Definitely or most likely not true

What you may have heard Standing too close to the microwave can increase your risk of developing cancer. What science tells us Microwaves do not emit enough radiofrequency radiation to be harmful to humans (ACS). Microwave ovens are designed so that the microwave radiation is contained within the oven itself. The oven only creates microwaves…

Woman loading food into a microwave

CLAIM: Microwaving (or freezing) plastic increases cancer risk

Consumer products
Definitely or most likely not true

What you may have heard Heating plastic in the microwave or freezing plastic releases various harmful chemicals that may cause cancer. What science tells us Freezing tends to work against the release of chemicals. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health stated, “Chemicals do not diffuse as readily in cold temperatures, which would limit…

Plastic container of food on its way into a microwave