01/09/2026
🗣A GP has revealed six everyday items she avoids keeping in her home - from plastic chopping boards to last summer’s forgotten bottle of sunscreen.
⚠️While no household swap can “cancer-proof” a person, she says some home habits can reduce exposure to established risk factors, while others offer a sensible precaution against substances still being investigated.
👩⚕️Dr Asiya Maula, private GP at The Health Suite, said: “Cancer risk is influenced by our genes, age, environment and long-term lifestyle. It would be misleading to suggest that throwing away one kitchen item will prevent it.
“However, our homes shape what we eat, breathe and do every day. I prefer to remove certain things so healthier choices become automatic, while concentrating most on risks supported by strong evidence.”
1. Plastic chopping boards
Plastic boards can develop deep grooves and release tiny particles as knives repeatedly cut across their surfaces. Dr Maula uses well-maintained wooden boards instead, keeping separate ones for raw meat and ready-to-eat foods.
She said: “Research into microplastics and human health is continuing, and we cannot currently say that using a plastic chopping board causes cancer. This is a precautionary preference - not a reason to panic. Whichever material you choose, clean it thoroughly and replace it when badly damaged.”
2. Old takeaway tubs beside the microwave
Dr Maula does not avoid microwave ovens, which use non-ionising radiation and do not make food radioactive. Instead, she avoids repeatedly reheating meals in damaged takeaway tubs or containers not labelled microwave-safe.
She explained: “There is no good evidence that microwaving food causes cancer. I transfer food into glass or ceramic because heat can increase the movement of some substances from unsuitable plastic into food. Microwave-safe containers used according to their instructions are considered safe.”
3. A permanent drawer of bacon, ham and sausages
Processed meat is classified as carcinogenic to humans because regular consumption increases bowel cancer risk. Dr Maula therefore avoids keeping it as an everyday household staple.
She said: “This classification does not mean eating bacon is as dangerous as smoking. It describes the strength of evidence that it can cause cancer, not the size of the risk. I choose fish, chicken, eggs, beans or lentils more often and treat processed meat as occasional rather than routine.”
4. Loose talcum powder
Dr Maula does not keep loose talcum powder in her bathroom, preferring talc-free or cream-based alternatives.
She said: “The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified talc as probably carcinogenic to humans, although the evidence in people remains limited and Cancer Research UK says there is not enough evidence to conclude that talcum powder causes cancer.
“This classification identifies a potential hazard - it does not tell us the level of risk from occasionally using a cosmetic product. However, talc is not something I personally need, so avoiding loose powder, particularly around intimate areas or where it could be inhaled, is an easy precautionary choice.”
5 . Last summer’s forgotten sunscreen
An old bottle may have passed its expiry date, been stored in excessive heat or remained open beyond the recommended period, meaning its protection can no longer be relied upon.
Dr Maula said: “Ultraviolet radiation is a proven cause of skin cancer. I check the expiry date and the open-jar symbol, and replace sunscreen that has changed texture, colour or smell. Sunscreen is only one defence - it should be combined with shade, clothing and avoiding the strongest midday sun.”
“I make these household choices because they support those wider habits - not because any wooden board, glass container or single product can guarantee protection from cancer.”
6. Plastic teabags
Some teabags use plastic to seal their edges, while others are made from a plastic mesh. Research suggests these materials can release microplastic and nanoplastic particles when exposed to boiling water.
Dr Maula said: “We do not currently have evidence that drinking tea from a plastic-containing bag causes cancer, so this is another precautionary choice rather than a medical warning.
“Tea is something many people drink several times a day, so I prefer loose-leaf tea with a reusable metal infuser or bags clearly labelled plastic-free. It is a simple swap that reduces unnecessary plastic exposure while research into its long-term health effects continues.”
Dr Maula added: “The biggest gains still come from not smoking, drinking less alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, eating a balanced high-fibre diet and protecting your skin from UV.
✍Neil Shaw
