A message circulating on WhatsApp and Facebook assures that the causes of cancer are using the microwave and putting hot drinks or foods in plastic containers, but scientific evidence shows that when plastic utensils are used properly they cannot cause cancer.
The message shared hundreds of times says: “The American Association of Doctors Against Cancer gave the answers for the causes of cancer (sic).”
The text advises, among other things, not to drink coffee or tea in plastic cups, not to drink anything hot in plastic cups, and not to heat food in the microwave oven using plastic material.
An association that does not exist
The first thing is that the “American Association of Doctors Against Cancer” that cites the text with false information does not exist. In a search for related associations against cancer, no such association was found.
The hound He also looked for similar statements made by associations such as the American Cancer Society and the Mexican Association to Fight Cancer, but did not find that any of these claim that plastic or microwaves are the cause of cancer.
Under proper use there is no risk
Some of the misinformation supports that plastic is a danger, but according to organizations that study cancer such as Breast Cancer, associations such as Spanish Against Cancer and own Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States explains that there is no evidence that plastic causes it.
The three organisms agree that the use of plastic in food containers is safe under the manufacturer’s recommendations and following some recommendations, such as avoiding exposing them to direct fire or hitting them until they become disfigured.
That is, according to the sources consulted: Plastic containers are not considered dangerous if used properly, and they are in good condition.
But this does not mean that plastic does not have some important things to know about its use in food. The FDA recognizes that when we use containers, especially to transport water and canned goods, small amounts of the materials adhere to the food we eat.
Fortunately, FDA reports indicate that these small amounts do not represent a danger and that the human body is capable of processing it.
To read: It is false that the use of masks thus affects the health of children
Bisphenol, the material of concern
The detail, explain the references mentioned, is that most plastic bottles and can covers have a material called bisphenol, which has been used since 1960 and that in large quantities -as when injected into the body- can be harmful to the body. Health.
Bisphenol or BPA, explains the nonprofit organization Breast Cancer, works as a hormonal disruptor, as it blocks or imitates estrogen or other hormones, breaking the normal balance of the body.
Y “dSince estrogen in women stimulates the growth of breast cells, exposure to this hormone for long, uninterrupted periods may increase the risk of developing breast cancer ”, details the organization on your website.
While it is true that it is impossible for us to inject bisphenol, it is a material that health authorities are constantly re-evaluating to ensure that it is not potentially harmful in doses smaller than an injection.
It is as a precaution that the authorities ask not to place the containers on direct fire or hit them until they are disfigured, to prevent a greater amount of this material from adhering to the food.
The FDA maintains that as long as you have a proper use of plastics it is safe. holiiiii
A microwave, a harmless radiation
Another part of the misinformation that circulates is that using the microwave causes cancer, but associations that have scientific evidence deny that this is true.
The National Cancer Institute, from the United States, explains that microwave waves are a type of radiation known as “non-ionizing”, which means that it is low in energy, which prevents it from eliminating an electron (negative particle) from an atom or molecule.
In fact, this type of radiation is also found in radio waves and mobile phone lines.
And this type of radiation, clarifies the Institute, in most cases it does not cause cancer, so its use is safe.
Own World Health Organization details that microwaves are safe “as long as they are used under the manufacturer’s instructions, (sic), since various precautions need to be taken, with respect to potential exposure, thermal burns and food handling.”
This issue was also verified by the Spanish team of Matilda.es who interviewed Alberto Nájera, academic at the University of Castilla La Mancha and member of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Radio Frequencies and Health in Spain.
The conclusions that the academic gave is that the non-ionizing radiation that microwaves have, even used intensively, cannot produce a carcinogenic process.
“At the usual levels of exposure, the only effect is thermal and its repercussions, those derived from this induced heat, such as burns,” explains Nájera.
Tips to reduce risks
Part of what the Breast Cancer organization argues is that knowing the risk of improper use, it is best to have a measured use of plastic and canned goods.
For example, it recommends carrying water in glass, steel or ceramic containers, and if you use a plastic bottle, check what number it has within the recycling mark, if it is 1, it recommends not to refill it and throw the bottle away.
In the case of babies, ask to reduce the intake of canned food and check that the nipples say “BPA free” on their labels.
It is also recommended to avoid cooking food in plastic containers or using bags while baking or steaming.
Cancer is due to various factors
It should be noted that there are many types of cancer and its origin is due to various factors.
Cancer can be distributed in one organ or in several organs and commonly has the ability to attack one organ and then spread throughout the body.
According to the medical encyclopedia of Mayo ClinicWe call cancer the development of an error in the cells, which ends up producing abnormal cells, which then divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate body tissue, finally destroying it.
As we have already mentioned, this production of abnormal cells can occur due to different factors. For example, it may be due to genetic mutations from birth, which implies that you have inherited them from your parents. This type of factor is known as a “hereditary type factor.”
There is also the “source of exposure factor” which means prolonged contact of the human body with carcinogens. We call carcinogens any substance that, when exposed for a long time, increases the probability that people will develop a malignant tumor.
The encyclopedia medicoplus points out that so far 118 carcinogens have been identified, of which we must take precautions to avoid the development of cancer.
These carcinogens are divided into two categories: physical and chemical, and biological.
For example, a physical and / or chemical carcinogen can be alcohol, tobacco, or exposure to ultraviolet rays, environmental pollution, X-rays, aluminum, and the burning of coal.
While some examples of the biological cause are hepatitis B and C, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
In conclusion, There is no evidence that plastic combined with the heat of a drink or a microwave can cause cancer, but care must be taken to expose plastic containers to an excessive temperature or to blows that will disfigure it, because in excess the substances that make up the plastic can be harmful to health.
As there is the possibility of improper use of plastic, it is recommended to be careful when using it and reduce the use of it, substituting other materials such as glass, steel or ceramic.
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