A cancer specialist has revealed the 10 things she steers clear of without fail to keep herself in top health. Dr Leigh Erin Connealy wrote The Cancer Revolution and has been practising medicine since 1986.

She now heads up the Center For New Medicine as medical director, where her expertise lies in both cancer prevention and treatment. The doctor has also amassed a substantial social media presence, regularly dishing out health advice to her followers.

Her content spans everything from fitness and lifestyle guidance for cancer prevention to snapshots of her professional life. According to Cancer Research UK, more than 1,100 people receive a cancer diagnosis daily, with the disease claiming 168,000 lives annually across the UK. Around half of those diagnosed live for a decade or longer, with tobacco use identified as the leading cause.

Dr Connealy outlined her personal list of 10 things she avoids as a cancer-focused physician. She explained:

1. Sleeping with my phone near my bed.

Chronic nighttime exposure to light and electromagnetic signals can disrupt sleep, which is downstream from nearly every repair and regulatory process in the body.

2. Vegetable oils.

Industrial seed oils are high in unstable polyunsaturated fats that oxidize easily, contributing to lipid peroxidation and inflammation in cell membranes.

3. Food heated in plastic.

Heat increases the leaching of plastics like phthalates and BPA, which act as endocrine disruptors and can interfere with hormone balance.

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4. Estrogen-only HRT. Unopposed estradiol stimulation can promote proliferation of cells. We want all hormones to be balanced, that includes progesterone, pregnenolone, DHEA, and thyroid.

5. Wireless headphones.

Prolonged close-range wireless exposure places radiofrequency signals directly near brain tissue for extended periods – something I minimise when possible.

6. Fragranced laundry detergent.

Synthetic fragrance blends often contain phthalates and volatile organic compounds that add to cumulative endocrine and chemical burden through daily skin contact.

7. Non-stick cookware.

Damaged or overheated non-stick coatings can release per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are persistent environmental toxins linked to cancer.

8. Scented candles.

Many scented candles release carcinogenic volatile organic compounds and combustion byproducts.

9. Printed receipts.

Thermal paper receipts frequently contain BPA or BPS, which can transfer to skin and contribute to endocrine disruption.

10. Polyester workout clothing.

Synthetic fabrics shed microplastics – increased skin contact with petroleum-derived fibres has been shown to alter hormone balance.