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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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Definitely or most likely not true
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CLAIM: Lead exposure causes cancer

Occupational & environmental exposure
Definitely or most likely true

What you may have heard Exposure to lead causes cancer. What science tells us Lead is harmful, regardless of the type of lead exposure (breathing in, swallowing, or absorbing through the skin), but the body absorbs the highest levels of lead when it is inhaled (CDC). Lead is absorbed and stored in the bones, blood,…

Peeling paint

CLAIM: Bluetooth or wireless headphones can cause cancer

Consumer products
Impact on cancer risk undetermined

What you may have heard With the introduction and increased use of Bluetooth technology, many people have been concerned about their long-term effects on cancer risk. What science tells us Because of the newness of this technology, researchers have not had enough time to study potential correlation between cancer and Bluetooth headphones. However, since the…

Bluetooth headphones

CLAIM: E-cigarettes/vaping cause cancer

Lifestyle
Impact on cancer risk undetermined

What you may have heard Smoking e-cigarettes or vaping can increase your risk of lung cancer. What science tells us These products are known by many names including e-cigs, vape pens, vaporizers, and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). They consist of a battery that turns the device on, a cartridge containing liquid (or “pod”), and…

Person vaping

CLAIM: Tobacco use causes cancer

Lifestyle
Definitely or most likely true

What you may have heard Tobacco use is a leading cause of cancer and cancer death. It is also the biggest preventable cause of cancer. What science tells us All tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, and snuff contain poisonous substances, cancer-causing agents, and nicotine (a highly addictive substance). Cigarettes are the…

Various tobacco products

CLAIM: Lack of sleep increases your risk of cancer

Lifestyle Medical Issue or Treatment
Definitely or most likely true

What you may have heard A disrupted sleep cycle reduces our body’s ability to function properly and decreases its ability to ward off cancer (Shafi et al.). What science tells us The World Health Organization (WHO) states that circadian disruption alone is a risk factor for cancer.“Circadian disruption” is defined as any change in sleep…

Person lying awake in bed in darkened room

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: Burnt marshmallows can cause cancer

Diet & nutrition
Definitely or most likely not true

What you may have heard Consuming burnt foods or burnt marshmallows increases the risk of developing cancer. What science tells us Marshmallows are composed of a majority of sugars. They are eaten alone, but sometimes are roasted over a fire to make s’mores. Many chemicals are found in burnt food including acrylamide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons…

3 singed marshmallows on sticks in front of flames

CLAIM: Curcumin (turmeric) reduces the risk of cancer

Diet & nutrition
Impact on cancer risk undetermined

What you may have heard Curcumin has been touted as having antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. One of curcumin’s newer areas being studied are its possible anti-cancer properties. What science tells us Curcumin (the part of turmeric that gives it its vibrant color) has gained attention in the media as a potential anti-cancer therapy.…

Turmeric (ground and whole)

CLAIM: Coffee causes cancer

Diet & nutrition
Definitely or most likely not true

What you may have heard Coffee consumption can increase your risk of cancer. What science tells us Epidemiological Evidence Coffee drinking is not a cause of breast, pancreatic, or prostate cancer and may even reduce the risk of endometrial, head and neck, colorectal, and liver cancers (ACS) . There is also evidence that drinking coffee…

Cup of coffee next to a bag of coffee beans that are spilling out

CLAIM: Ketchup ingredients (MSG and high-fructose corn syrup) cause cancer

Diet & nutrition
Definitely or most likely not true

What you may have heard Ketchup contains high-fructose corn syrup and MSG for flavoring and sweetness.  You may have heard these ingredients cause cancer. What the science tells us Numerous studies have shown that high-fructose corn syrup is harmful to your health, increasing your risk of weight gain, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and high…

Ketchup packets