Cancer is a deadly autoimmune disease that is ranked as the world’s second leading cause of death. Every year over 10 million people lose their lives to cancer. To prevent cancer, medical experts often advise us to adopt healthy habits, such as eating a well-balanced diet, doing daily exercise, minimizing alcohol consumption, and avoiding smoking.
While these tips are definitely helpful, you should also be aware of some of the common and lesser-known things that might be giving you cancer.
The following is a list of the most common everyday things that may be giving you cancer.
Table of Contents
1) Ceilings, Attics, and Dry Walls:
If you are living in an old building, chances are you are exposing yourself to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate mineral used to strengthen walls, ceilings, and even car parts. Asbestos, by itself, is not harmful, but when it disintegrates, it can release tiny dust particles or fibers. These fine particles and fibers when inhaled or ingested can cause a type of cancer called mesothelioma that affects the linings of the internal organs.
If you work or live in a building with a high asbestos presence, you should consult a mesothelioma attorney — after you’ve also consulted a medical professional — in order to claim compensation for asbestos exposure. Asbestos exposure can lead to many deadly diseases, and you should take all the precautionary measures you can.
2) Cosmetics and Beauty Products:
While quality cosmetics and beauty products can make us look attractive, the addition of certain subpar chemicals to the cosmetics products can make you terminally ill. Many beauty products contain dangerous chemicals that can cause cancer without us even realizing it. These chemicals include parabens, talc, triclosan, and much more.
Many skin care products include parabens, which are preservatives used to prevent the growth of bacteria. Parabens, however, can disrupt growth hormones and reproductive health, while also carrying the risk of cancer. Talc is also used in many makeup products, such as eyeshadows, bronzers, and blushes. Talc often contains traces of asbestos, and frequent use of talc may lead to cancer as well. To stay safe, avoid products that have harmful chemicals added.
3) Air Fresheners:
Air fresheners help in removing unpleasant odors and give your house a fragrant smell. However, air fresheners are laced with deadly and toxic chemicals. Most air fresheners have hazardous chemicals, such as phthalates, formaldehyde, and many other preservatives that give them a nice fragrance.
When these chemicals are inhaled, they may lead to cancer and other diseases. To avoid the dangers of inhaling toxic chemicals that come in an air freshener bottle, avoid buying the ones with the words “parfum” and “special fragrance” and try to invest in more natural alternatives. Air fresheners with 100% natural ingredients are also available but may cost you more. An even more natural option is to open all the windows and doors to get rid of any bad smell in the house.
4) Non-Stick Pots and Pans:
While non-stick cookware does help in cooking, studies have shown that it can also increase the risk of cancer in people who use it regularly. The layer of coating, known as Teflon, is made of highly complex chemicals that release into the air when the pan is overheated. From there, these chemicals can mix with the food or get inhaled by the person cooking.
The chemicals and gases released through overheating are fluoride based, which is an alleged carcinogen (cancer causing element).
To save yourself from the risks inherent in using a non-stick material for cooking, avoid the non-stick pans and pots altogether. If you want to ensure that what you cook doesn’t stick to the pot, use a little more oil or butter than usual to make the surface of the pot or pan less sticky.
5) Cleaning Products:
Cleaning products are a household necessity and help you stay clean and germ-free. However, many commercial cleaning products may contain harmful chemicals that can cause cancer. These include alkylphenols, triclosan, and tetrachloroethylene, which are known to have a connection to breast cancer.
These include “all-purpose cleaners”, which usually contain grease-cutting agents and solvents, which are harmful for your skin, eyes, and throat. Bleach with sodium hypochlorite is also harmful and can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat.
It is important to note that you should never mix bleach with anything other than water, as it will start to release toxic chemicals that could even cause death. Always make sure that the cleaning products you buy are high quality and don’t include any harmful ingredients.
Final Thoughts
These were some of the household items that could be causing you cancer without you even realizing it. But with a few precautionary steps here and there, you can greatly reduce the risk of contracting the disease from these items.
Tiffany is a Medical Student and also works as a fitness coach in part-time. She is also a writer and writes on health and fitness articles. Tiffany loves to engage with users and help them provide various useful information on General Health. She provides researched-based information and also featured on various blogs and magazines.