Most likely or definitely true
False/misinformation
We’re not sure yet
Topics
Acrylamide
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 in foods such […]
Alcohol
Antiperspirants
Antiperspirants cause breast cancer
What science tells us
Several theories have been suggested about how antiperspirants and deodorants might cause breast cancer. Scientists are currently researching fragrance, preservatives, and other ingredients that are estrogenic and may increase breast cancer risk.
The most recent review of antiperspirants or deodorants and […]
Asbestos
Asbestos causes cancer
What science tells us
Asbestos was a construction material (used primarily in insulation) and can be found in buildings built before 2000.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has labeled asbestos as a known carcinogen. It causes cancer by scarring lung tissue whenever its […]
Aspartame
Aspartame causes cancer
What science tells us
With rising competition to make food sweet and appealing, as well as lower in calories, many companies switched from normal sucrose (table sugar) to sugar substitutes or artificial sweeteners. Aspartame is one of the most widely used artificial sweeteners. Many studies […]
Birth control pills
Birth control pills (oral contraceptives) cause cancer
What science tells us
Birth control pills prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation and preventing sperm from penetrating through the cervix. The most commonly prescribed type of oral contraceptive (often referred to as simply “the pill” or sometimes “birth control”) in the […]
Bluetooth headphones
Bluetooth or wireless headphones can cause cancer
What science tells us
With the introduction and increased use of Bluetooth technology, many people have been concerned about their long-term health effects. Because of the newness of this technology, researchers have not had enough time to study any possible correlation […]
Bras
Wearing bras can cause breast cancer
What science tells us
The claimed cancer risk posed by bras is one of several unproven risk factors that are frequently linked to breast cancer.
The claim stems from the belief that bras could disrupt how lymph nodes remove waste and toxins from […]
Bug spray with DEET
Bug spray causes cancer
What science tells us
Much of the concern about bug spray is with one of its most common ingredients: DEET. DEET gives bug spray its strong chemical smell, which is used to repel biting insects, such as mosquitos, ticks, and fleas. The Environmental Protection […]
Burnt marshmallows
Eating burnt marshmallows can cause cancer
What science tells us
The main chemicals of concern when burnt food is eaten are acrylamide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic amines (HCAs) (Dana-Farber). Acrylamide forms naturally from chemical reactions in certain types of starchy foods when […]
Cell phone use
Charcoal grilling
Grilling meat causes cancer
What science tells us
Charring or burning meat, poultry, or fish over high temperatures causes heterocyclic amines (HCAs) to form. These HCAs can cause genetic damage and increase a person’s risk of stomach and colorectal cancers (Cedars-Sinai).
How to reduce […]
Coffee
Coffee causes cancer
What science tells us
The links between coffee and cancer have been researched for decades. Much of the concern comes from the fact that coffee can contain a chemical called acrylamide, which is formed during the roasting process. Acrylamide has been shown to cause cancer […]
Cosmetics
Some cosmetics have chemicals that cause cancer
What science tells us
Cosmetics and their ingredients are frequently discussed in the media for their possible effects on human health and the environment.
The FDA defines cosmetics as “articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced to, or […]
Curcumin/turmeric
Curcumin (turmeric) reduces the risk of cancer
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. Curcumin has many important biological functions. It has antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, all […]
Diesel exhaust
Diesel exhaust causes cancer
What science tells us
Diesel is a type of fuel derived from crude oil and is used in most large engines (such as trucks, trains, buses, construction equipment, ships, etc.).
The gas portion of diesel is made up of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, […]
Disposable chopsticks
Disposable chopsticks have residues (aflatoxins) on them that cause cancer
What science tells us
Aflatoxins are toxins produced by certain fungi and are found on agricultural crops such as corn, peanuts, and tree nuts. People may be exposed to aflatoxins by eating contaminated plant products or by eating […]
E-cigarettes/vaping
E-cigarettes are safer than cigarettes and don’t cause cancer
What science tells us
E-cigarettes have become very popular and have often made headlines due to misinformation. They are known by many names, such as e-cigs, vape pens, vaporizers, and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). They consist of a […]
Flying in airplanes
Pilots and flight attendants have increased cancer risk
What science tells us
Aircrew are exposed to higher levels of radiation (specifically cosmic ionizing radiation, a type of radiation that comes from outer space) and sleep cycle disruption. Cosmic ionizing radiation is known to cause cancer, and aircrew have […]
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde causes cancer
What science tells us
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, strong-smelling chemical that is used in building materials and in the production of many household products. It is used in pressed-wood products (such as plywood and fiberboard), glue, adhesives, permanent-pressed fabrics, paper product coatings, insulation, fungicide, […]
Hazelnut spreads and palm oil
Eating hazelnut spreads with palm oil causes cancer
What science tells us
Products that contain palm oil, namely hazelnut spreads, are one of the most recent foods to be flagged as potentially carcinogenic. This buzz is largely due to a single ingredient: palm oil. Products containing palm oil, which […]
High-fat diets
High-fat diets decrease your risk of cancer
What science tells us
The amount of fat a person should have in their diet has been hotly debated. In the past 5 years, high-fat diets have become popular as a way to lose weight and prevent cancer risk. However, other […]
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Hormone replacement therapy causes cancer
What science tells us
There are various types of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), some of which are estrogen, estrogen + progestin (combined), or what is called “bioidentical” hormone replacement therapies.
Estrogen. While hormone replacement therapy with estrogen alone improves symptoms of menopause and may […]
Induced (medical) abortion
Induced abortion causes breast cancer
What science tells us
Hormone levels change dramatically during pregnancy and decrease a woman’s number of menstrual cycles, which affects breast cancer risk (ACS). Abortion is believed to interrupt the normal cycle of hormones during pregnancy.
There are multiple types of […]
Ketchup
Ketchup ingredients (MSG and high fructose corn syrup) cause cancer
What the science tells us
The ingredients of greatest concern in ketchup are high fructose corn syrup and MSG. Numerous studies have shown that high fructose corn syrup is harmful to your health, increasing your risk of weight […]
Loom bands
Loom bands have high amounts of cancer-causing chemicals
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. This is […]
Low physical activity
Low levels of physical activity increase cancer risk
What science tells us
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 […]
Marijuana smoking
Smoking marijuana is safer than cigarettes and does not cause cancer
What science tells us
Marijuana is the name given to the dried buds and leaves of the cannabis plant; it goes by many names, including pot, grass, cannabis, weed, and hemp.
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) causes the “high” reported by […]
Mask wearing
Bacteria inside masks and oxygen deficiency from masks causes lung cancer
What science tells us
There is a vast amount of evidence showing that long-term mask-wearing has no effect on cancer risk. The first study to make this false accusation about masks has been discredited by many other […]
Microwaves
Standing close to a microwave while it’s in use causes 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 […]
Microwaving (or freezing) plastic
Eating food out of microwaved plastic increases cancer risk
What science tells us
Many people have heard that heating plastic in the microwave or freezing plastic releases various harmful chemicals.
First and foremost, there are no dioxins in plastics. Diethylhexyl adipate (DEHA) is found in some plastics and may […]
MSG—monosodium glutamate
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) causes cancer
What science tells us
MSG is one of the most common food additives. Generally, MSG gives an umami (meat-like) scent and is often added to savory foods to increase their taste and good smell (Niaz et al.). MSG has […]
Obesity
Obesity causes cancer
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 use the BMI scale, which is determined by dividing a person’s weight (in kilograms) […]
Paint chemicals
Certain chemicals in paint cause cancer
What science tells us
Occupational exposure as a painter is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) based on increased risk of lung cancer, urinary bladder cancer, and mesothelioma (IARC). But […]
Plastic water bottles
Plastic water bottles cause cancer
What science tells us
Most people have heard warnings about cancer links and drinking from plastic water bottles, due to potential exposure to diethylhexyl adipate (DEHA), diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), and bisphenol A (BPA).
But the American Cancer Society has stated that viral messages warning […]
Power lines
Radiation from power lines causes cancer
What science tells us
Radiation is the sending out of energy from any source. It exists across a spectrum from very high energy to very low energy.
High-energy radiation includes X-rays and UV rays. Both X-rays and UV rays have the potential to […]
Processed meat
Processed meat causes cancer
What science tells us
Processed meat has been changed through curing, smoking, salting, fermentation, or other processes to help preserve it or enhance flavor. Processed meats are most commonly made of pork or beef, such as bacon, sausage, ham, bologna, hot dogs, and deli […]
Radon
Radon exposure causes lung cancer
What science tells us
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that, after long-term exposure, can lead to lung cancer. Radon breaks down into radioactive elements in the air, which are absorbed into the body.
Radon is considered carcinogenic to humans by national and international […]
Red meat
Scented candles
Burning scented candles indoors may cause cancer
What science tells us
Two of the largest concerns with scented candles are toxic wax and toxic wicks. Some aromatherapy candles are made of paraffin, which is a petroleum byproduct that releases carcinogenic soot when burned (Green America). […]
Sedentary behavior
Sedentary behavior increases cancer risk
What science tells us
There is strong evidence that low levels of physical activity are linked to increased risk of several types of cancer (NCI). We know less about the relationship between sedentary behavior (long amounts of sitting or […]
Shampoo with formaldehyde
Shampoos with formaldehyde cause cancer
What science tells us
Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas that presents a health hazard when inhaled. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified formaldehyde as a human carcinogen because at high levels or prolonged exposure, formaldehyde has been linked […]
Shampoo with sodium lauryl sulfate
Sodium lauryl sulfate (found in many shampoos) causes cancer
What science tells us
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a cleaning agent and surfactant that is used in many personal care and cleaning products.
While SLS chemicals may cause eye irritation (or eye damage in high-enough quantities) and skin irritation […]
Sitting too close to the TV
Sitting too close to the TV causes cancer
What science tells us
The Daily Mirror published a story in 2003 claiming that sitting too close to the TV for prolonged periods of time increases cancer risk. This is a classic case of a shred of truth being spun […]
Sleep problems
Lack of sleep increases your risk of cancer
What science tells us
“Circadian disruption” is defined as any change in sleep pattern, whether it is loss of sleep, difficulty falling asleep, or waking up during the sleep cycle. The body’s central clock is found in the brain and […]
Spicy chips
Ingredients specifically in spicy chips cause cancer
What science tells us
A story from 2013 of a 10-year-old girl with extreme stomach distress became front-page news after her physician attributed her sickness to eating spicy chips. The physician said that the harsh chemicals in these chips cause corrosion in […]
Stress
Stress increases cancer risk
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 […]
Tanning beds
Tanning beds cause skin cancer
What science tells us
Worldwide, there are more skin cancer cases due to indoor tanning than there are lung cancer cases due to smoking (SCF). The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) moved tanning beds to the highest cancer-risk […]
Tobacco use
Tobacco use causes cancer
What science tells us
Tobacco use is a leading cause of both cancer and cancer death. It is also the biggest preventable cause of cancer.
All tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, and snuff contain poisonous substances, cancer-causing agents, and nicotine (a […]
UV radiation
UV radiation
What science tells us
Any tan is a sign of skin damage, according to Sharon Miller, a scientist at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and expert on UV radiation (FDA). Tanning is caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and causes damage […]
Wax on fruits and vegetables
Eating fruits and vegetables (such as apples) that have a wax coating causes cancer
What science tells us
Fruit wax, which is highly diluted, contains fungicides to inhibit mold growth, sugar cane, beeswax, carnauba wax, and resins.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for ensuring that all pesticides […]