The three things this GP would never have in her home due to cancer risk

YOUR home should be a safe place. But when it comes to your cancer risk, potentially harmful products could be posing a danger to you and your family.

For years we've known the biggest risks for cancer are smoking, being overweight or obese, and exposure to certain infections, radiation, and substances. 

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High levels of radon in your home, for example, especially if you've smoked or smoked in the past, can cause lung cancer.

Healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating well, regularly exercising and quitting smoking, are some of the best ways to keep the disease at bay.

At home, testing for radon can help prevent damage to the cells in your lungs.

But the dangers in your home don't stop there.

According to Dr Marion Sloan, a GP  from Sheffield, and chair of the Primary Care Society for Gastroenterology, there are everyday things she wouldn't buy because of their links to cancer.

1. Processed food

Processed foods, such as bacon, ham and sausage, is the first thing Dr Sloan likes to keep out her home.

"Processed foods such as bacon contain nitrites which have been linked to cancer of the bowel," she warned.

Processed foods are often high in calories, fat, sugar, and salt, which can lead to weight gain - and being overweight or obese increases your risk of cancer. 

In recent years, ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have been making headlines for their association with many diseases, including cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

UPFs are more processed than other processed foods, and are often made from ingredients extracted from other foods.

In 2023, a team of researchers from the University of Bristol and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has found that eating more UPFs may be associated with a higher risk of developing cancers in the upper aerodigestive tract.

This includes mouth, throat and oesophageal adenocarcinoma - cancer of the oesophagus.

Dr Sloan's alternative: opt for fresh and seasonal produce.

"I buy as much fresh and seasonal food as possible," she said.

"And I would have an egg sandwich over a bacon sandwich."

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2. Alcohol

Many studies have proven alcohol can increased the risk of a number of cancers, including breast, bowel, stomach, pancreatic, and prostate cancer.

"I don’t have many bottles of alcohol with the exception of red wine," said Dr Sloan.

"Alcohol, especially in excess will cause cirrhosis of the liver and develop into hepatocellular carcinoma."

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says any beverage containing alcohol, regardless of its price and quality, poses a risk of developing cancer.

But a recent study did find red wine could help prevent the deadly disease.

This is because a compound in red wine, resveratrol, was found to slow the growth of tumour cells in the gut.

Dr Sloan's alternative: opt for alcohol-free options.

"A G&T can be made with an alcohol free gin or add sparkling water to a glass of white wine to reduce consumption," she said.

"But I do like a nice glass of red wine every now and then too."

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Harsh chemical cleaning products

While the typical use of household cleaning products is not a significant cancer risk, some harsh chemicals have been linked to the disease.

These chemicals can include endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), formaldehyde, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 

"I don’t tend to use harsh chemical cleaning products, preferring as natural as possible," said Dr Sloan.

"Many chemicals in cleaning products have been identified as Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals (EDS) which have been linked to breast cancer and other illnesses."

Disinfectants, stain removers and air fresheners were all found to produce harmful VOCs in a 2023 study.

Researchers tested 30 different cleaning products, including some marketed as eco-friendly and without fragrance.

They were categorised as all-purpose, carpet, floor, glass, and wood cleaners, as well as laundry stain removers and air fresheners.

Some were sprays and wipes, while others were foams and powders.

Scientists at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) discovered more than 530 VOCs were present across the range.

Dr Sloan's alternative: use natural cleaning products where possible.

"When it comes to cleaning I apply a 'targeted cleaning' approach where I use anti-bacterial sprays ONLY in areas where I have prepared food that’s high risk like chicken," said Dr Sloan.

"For everywhere else in the home I use natural cleaning products like Cycle Bio.

"Their products are toxin-free and made from wastewater.

"The man behind it, Sunny Bhasin came up with the idea after his sister died from cancer."