Cancer myths and common questions
Stories about possible cancer causes make for hot topics in the news and on social media. But some things you hear, read or see are not supported by good evidence.
Misinformation can cause unnecessary worry and distract from the facts of what affects our risk of cancer.
In this section we answer common questions about cancer risk and explain what the research really says. We'll help you understand what's proven and what's not when it comes to causes of cancer, so you can take charge of your health.
Causes of cancer: what’s proven and what’s not?
Decades of research has shown that tobacco is the biggest cause of cancer in the world. Other proven causes of cancer include overweight and obesity, ultraviolet radiation (UV), alcohol, processed meat and infection with human papillomavirus (HPV).
Some claims about cancer risk are not supported by good evidence. But 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.
How does Cancer Research UK evaluate research?
Our team of experts regularly review the research on the causes of cancer. This ensures we provide information which is evidence-based, accurate and up to date. We are accredited by the Patient Information Forum as a trusted creator of health information.
Get the facts on common cancer myths and questions
Food
Does burnt toast cause cancer?
Eating acrylamide in burnt toast and other burnt starchy foods is unlikely to increase the risk of cancer.
Do artificial sweeteners cause cancer?
Eating food and drink with artificial sweeteners in is unlikely to 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.
Do genetically modified foods cause cancer?
Eating genetically modified (GM) foods doesn’t cause cancer.
Common food myths and cancer
Get the facts on so-called 'superfoods' and other food myths.
Products
Do mobile phones or Wi-Fi cause cancer?
Radiation from mobile phones, networks and Wi-Fi is too weak to be able to cause cancer by damaging DNA.
Do cosmetics cause cancer?
Using cosmetics is unlikely to increase the risk of cancer.
Does using plastic bottles cause cancer?
Using plastic bottles and containers doesn't cause cancer.
Do pesticides cause cancer?
There is no strong evidence that being exposed to pesticides at low levels causes cancer.
Miscellaneous
Does stress cause cancer?
Stress doesn’t directly cause cancer. But stressful times can make it harder to keep up healthy habits.
Does breast injury or trauma cause cancer?
Physical trauma, injury or a blow to the breast does not cause cancer.
Do medical scans and air travel cause cancer?
Some medical scans, including x-rays, use small amounts of ionising radiation.
Top tips to spot misinformation
It can be hard to tell fact from fiction when it comes to information about our health. We've put together a guide to help you spot misinformation when reading headlines about cancer.
