Cancer myths
Stories about possible cancer causes make for hot topics in the news and on social media. It can be hard to know which ones are true. Some things you hear, read or see are not supported by good evidence. Misinformation can cause unnecessary worry and distract from the facts on what affects our risk of cancer.
It's proven that not smoking, keeping a healthy weight, staying safe in the sun, cutting down on alcohol and eating a healthy, balanced diet lower the risk of cancer.
Do mobile phones cause cancer?
Radiation from mobile phones, networks and Wi-Fi is too weak to be able to cause cancer by damaging DNA.
Do artificial sweeteners cause cancer?
Eating food and drink with artificial sweeteners in is unlikely to cause cancer.
Does burnt toast cause cancer?
Eating acrylamide in burnt toast and other burnt starchy foods is unlikely to increase the risk of cancer.
Does stress cause cancer?
Stress doesn’t directly cause cancer. But stressful times can make it harder to keep up healthy habits.
Do genetically modified foods cause cancer?
Eating genetically modified (GM) foods doesn’t cause cancer.
Do pesticides cause cancer?
There is no strong evidence that being exposed to pesticides at low levels causes cancer.
Do medical scans and air travel cause cancer?
Some medical scans, including x-rays, use small amounts of ionising radiation. But the health risks are low and usually outweighed by the benefit of having a scan, if your doctor recommends it.
Does breast injury or trauma cause cancer?
Physical trauma, injury or a blow to the breast does not cause cancer.
Do milk and dairy products cause cancer?
Milk and other dairy products can reduce the risk of bowel cancer. There is no strong evidence that dairy increases the risk of cancer.
