It’s no secret that what you put in and on your body affects it. When it comes to cancer prevention, we want to make sure you know the red, yellow, and green flags so you can make the best decisions for you and your family. There’s a lot we can’t control when it comes to cancer, so let’s do everything we can to stack the cards in our favor.
This is an absolute no-go, like accidentally sending a dick pic to your boss.
Not great, but not a hard no. It’s cause for concern, like using #hashtag in a sentence.
We love to see it! No shame in your game.
Smoking kills. We know this, you know this, the CDC and the companies that make and market cigarettes and cigars know this. Repeat after us: There is no safe level of tobacco use.
If you smoke: Quit. We don’t want to hear any ifs, ands, or cigarette butts about it. We don’t care why you started or how long you’ve done it – just quit.
If you don’t smoke: Don’t start, it’s that easy.
If you don’t currently smoke, but you used to: We’re so proud of you for quitting and keeping it that way! Make sure you tell your doctor though; there’s a new lung cancer screening you may be eligible for.
Vaping Everyday = Red Flag
Hard truth: Vaping everyday is basically the same as smoking cigarettes everyday. It’s highly addictive and very bad for you, especially if you use nicotine pods or nicotine salt. Seriously, every single nicotine pod is equivalent to smoking an entire pack of cigarettes and nic salts can be even stronger.* Those are major red flags that mean vaping is definitely not a good alternative to smoking cigarettes.
Vaping Occasionally = Yellow Flag
Just because vaping every once in a while is a yellow flag doesn’t mean there won’t be consequences if you indulge. At the end of the day, no matter what you’re vaping, you’re inhaling chemicals. If we had to guess based on history, it’s not good for you and you probably want to stay away.
Smoking = Yellow Flag
Similar to smoking cigarettes or vaping, smoking weed can irritate your throat and lungs. Marijuana smoke can also contain carcinogens, similar to tobacco smoke. More research needs to be done, but research so far has found that young adults who use cannabis over a long period of time are at an increased risk of lung cancer.
Ingestible or Topical Products = Green Flag
This ain’t the ‘70’s anymore, baby; you’ve got options when it comes to your high. Consuming edibles or drinks, using topical ointments, or using other non-smoking versions of weed can get you high without playing with lung cancer.
Tanning beds are this generation’s smoking. You’re not a rotisserie chicken and your skin was not meant to flash fry at 400 degrees – no exceptions. And don’t even get us started on the term “base tan.”
Spray tans are a happy medium, but they can still be dangerous. While spray painting a tan on your body is better for you than using a tanning bed, a lot of spray tans use potentially carcinogenic ingredients. Do your research beforehand, and specifically try to avoid DHA. Don’t forget: a spray tan doesn’t protect you from the sun’s harmful rays, so you still need to wear sunscreen everyday.
We’re obsessed with sunscreen and you should be, too. It’s the best way to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful, skin aging, and carcinogenic effects. Learn more about sunscreen and sun safety here.
Did you know that your skin is your largest organ? You put a lot of chemicals on it, whether you realize it or not. When it comes to the products you put on your body, read the labels as closely as you read a dating profile. Parabens, Triclosan, and Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives are the major red flags you really want to stay away from. Rule of thumb: If you can’t pronounce it or don’t know 5 or more of the ingredients, shelve it.
Channel your inner Marie Kondo and make sure the ingredients in your products spark joy. We’re looking for simple ingredients, no fragrance or natural fragrance, or DIY options. Believe it or not, a lot of the skin and beauty products you use everyday can be made at home in safer ways.
A common conversation when it comes to cancer risk is deodorant, particularly the chemicals used in it. The main concern here is parabens, just like the ones mentioned above. So why call this out in particular? Well we’re talking about something you’re using daily (we hope) on one of the most sensitive areas on your body. Read the ingredient list and steer clear of scary words.
The rumor mill is powerful when it comes to aluminum in deodorant. Truth is, deodorants don’t actually contain aluminum, but antiperspirants do. Research results have been mixed on whether or not aluminum in antiperspirants can be linked to cancer. So for now, follow your gut.
You’ve got options here depending on how daring you are and how much stank your armpits produce. We’re not judging, just trying to help you keep friends. You can rock the no deodorant lifestyle or try a natural deodorant. Some of them work better than others and it can take time to figure out which one works best for you, but if you’re looking to switch out some daily products, this can be a good area to start. Just remember to read the ingredients because marketing can be tricky these days.
You know our stance on tanning salons, so what’s the deal with nail salons? Particularly those mini hand-tanning-bed-type lights used to dry your nails? Those UV lamps blast your hands and feet with harmful UV rays. This is particularly risky if you get your nails done more than every two weeks. To protect your skin, let your nails air dry or use a traditional fan, but if that’s not an option apply sunscreen 20 minutes before your appointment.
What’s really in your favorite nail color? Unfortunately, a lot of chemicals. But, there are a lot of chemical-free nail polishes on the market now, which is a good step in the cancer prevention direction. Look for polishes that are labeled 5-free, 7-free, 10-free, or even higher. This means they don’t contain that number of certain harmful chemical ingredients.
The easiest way to avoid carcinogens that are linked to getting your nails done is to just keep your nails natural.
What you consume can be all consuming, but you’re doing the best you can. As long as you are making the choices that work best for you, we support it.
You’re not a child so we’re not here to tell you what to eat. We just want to give you enough information that you can make the best food decisions for you and your family. We’ll keep it simple: Try to limit how often you drink alcohol and eat animal products, added sugars, and processed foods.
You’re doing amazing, sweetie. Aim for whole foods when possible, including whole fruits and veggies, whole grains, and high fiber foods. Try to make healthy swaps when possible to find balance throughout the day. Learn more about eating to prevent cancer here.
