Oncologists Are Begging People To Stop Doing This One Thing in the Shower
It's easy to chalk cancer risk up to luck of the draw-or, more accurately, the gene pool. Some cancers, like breast cancer, certainly have genetic components, and it's crucial to know your family history and other risk factors that you cannot control.
"Uncontrollable risk factors for cancer are age, genetics, including personal history and family history, previous exposures to chemicals and radiation-what is done is done," says Dr. Adeel Khan, MD, an academic hemoncologist and epidemiologist in Dallas.
But you can change one of these factors moving forward: Chemical exposures, especially from everyday products, like the ones we use in the shower.
"Cancer development is a multi-step process and repeated exposure to harmful substances in our food, water and consumer products can cause progressive cellular damage," says Dr. James McCloskey, MD, the chief of the leukemia division at John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center. "This knowledge empowers us to make informed lifestyle choices, such as avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol, and to advocate for stronger regulations on harmful chemicals."
One of the best ways to advocate for change is with your wallet. When you understand the impact of combined chemical exposures, you can take proactive steps to switch to safer products, improving your long-term health and reducing your cancer risk in the process. For this reason, oncologists are begging people to stop doing this one thing in the shower. The good news? There are plenty of alternatives to this habit that pass the sniff test.
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The One Thing Oncologists Are Begging People To Stop Doing in the Shower
Oncologists warn that using heavily fragranced body washes consistently might raise cancer risk. "Ironically, products we believe are cleansing and revitalizing ourselves may be harming us in the process," says Dr. Sudarsan Kollimuttathuillam, MD, a medical oncologist at City of Hope Seacliff. "However, it's important to be mindful of the products we use, as they could, over time, increase cancer risk."
Dr. McCloskey points out that many of these body washes contain chemicals that can carry health risks, including cancer.
"Phthalates, often hidden in 'fragrance,' can mimic hormones, a process linked to an increased risk of breast cancer," Dr. McCloskey says. "Parabens, used as preservatives, also act like estrogen and pose similar concerns. Sulfates (SLS) create lather, but their manufacturing can produce a cancer-causing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane. Finally, some preservatives, like DMDM hydantoin, slowly release formaldehyde, a known carcinogen."
Related: ‘I'm an Oncologist-This Is the First Body Change I'd Never Ignore'
Is Fragrance Safe in Body Wash?
Oncologists note that research on heavily fragranced body washes is emerging. "It's important to be honest: We don't have proof that every fragranced body wash is harmful," Dr. Kollimuttathuillam says. "What researchers are trying to understand is whether repeated exposure over many years may contribute to health risks for some people."
Dr. Khan agrees, stating, "Simply put, for most people, occasional use is unlikely to be a major cancer or other health risk."
Still, he says it's reasonable to suggest reducing daily use of strongly fragranced products, especially if you have sensitive skin, asthma, migraines, are pregnant or are shopping for your kids.
Dr. Kollimuttathuillam emphasizes that the information on cancer risks associated with heavily scented body washes isn't cause for panic. "I'd look at this as an opportunity rather than an emergency," he advises. "Most cancer risks develop over a lifetime and involve many factors, not one body wash or one ingredient."
Related: Oncologists Are Begging People To Throw Out This Common Kitchen Item
3 Alternatives to Heavily Fragranced Body Wash
You can still feel fresh and clean without a strongly scented body wash. In fact, switching might lower your exposure to ingredients that might contribute to cancer risk. Instead, oncologists recommend using one of these options in the shower:
- Fragrance-free body wash. Dr. Kollimuttathuillam describes this one as the simplest swap for many people: "You still get the cleansing benefits without the added fragrance ingredients." Still, take a look at the ingredients list on the back of the label rather than relying on marketing copy that claims the product is "paraben-free." "A good rule of thumb is to look for simple, recognizable ingredients," he explains.
- Bar soap. Simple and traditional, Dr. McCloskey notes that bar soaps usually have simpler, shorter ingredient lists than liquid body washes. "They often don't require the same level of preservatives-like parabens or formaldehyde-releasers-because they are solid and contain less water," he says. "This simplicity significantly reduces your 'chemical cocktail' exposure."
- Pure liquid castile soap. Dr. McCloskey explains that this soap is made from saponified vegetable oil. "Castile soap...is completely biodegradable and natural," he says. "It contains no synthetic detergents, preservatives or foaming agents."
Up Next:
Sources:
- Dr. Adeel Khan, MD, an academic hemoncologist and epidemiologist in Dallas
- Dr. James McCloskey, MD, the chief of the leukemia division at John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center
- Dr. Sudarsan Kollimuttathuillam, MD, a medical oncologist at City of Hope Seacliff
- Phthalates and Their Impacts on Human Health. Healthcare.
- Parabens and their effects on the endocrine system. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology.
- 1,4-Dioxane in Cosmetics: A Manufacturing Byproduct. FDA.
- Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde Releasing Preservatives in Personal Care Products Used by Black Women and Latinas. Environmental Science & Technology Letters
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This story was originally published June 27, 2026 at 11:25 AM.