Newsweek spoke with Susana Demore, 42, who was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer while 35 weeks pregnant. According to the American Cancer Society, this aggressive form of invasive breast cancer accounts for about 10-15% of all breast cancer cases. Demore, from Houston, Texas (USA), was declared cancer-free in December 2022.

However, before that, she endured a difficult journey battling the disease. While pregnant, Demore, a physical therapist, underwent a round of chemotherapy before delivering her baby four weeks early. She continued chemotherapy, but when her tumor regrew, she had to undergo tumor removal surgery followed by a mastectomy.

She completed seven weeks of radiation therapy and tried oral chemotherapy, but severe cardiac side effects forced her to stop. Seven months later, she underwent a 12-hour DIEP flap breast reconstruction surgery, followed by a long recovery period and additional procedures. The entire process lasted two and a half years.

The Cancer Survivor Speaks Out: 6 Kitchen Items She Will NEVER Use Again

Below are six kitchen items Demore refuses to use and explanations from Nicole Deziel, a researcher at Yale Cancer Center and associate professor of epidemiology at Yale School of Public Health.

1. Nonstick Baking Sheets and Trays

Demore replaced these with stainless steel. The American Cancer Society states that nonstick cookware coatings may contain PFAS, a group of synthetic chemicals used since the 1940s for their resistance to oil, water, stains, and heat. They are found in nonstick cookware, protective coatings, food packaging, firefighting foam, and other products.

According to the U.S. FDA, these chemicals are polymerized and tightly bonded, minimizing their transfer into food. While the American Cancer Society has not classified them as carcinogens, some studies indicate a slight increase in testicular, kidney, and thyroid cancer risk when exposed to PFOA (a liquid, colorless chemical commonly used in nonstick coatings). Links to prostate, bladder, breast, and ovarian cancer require further research.

2. Air Fresheners

A 2017 study by Dr. Anne Steinemann found that air fresheners release over 100 chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene, as well as semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) like phthalates. These chemicals are linked to neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive, immune, and endocrine issues, as well as cancer.

Acetaldehyde, a common emission, is classified as a hazardous air pollutant and carcinogen in the U.S. While research suggests health risks, further studies are needed to understand long-term exposure effects, particularly on vulnerable populations.

Deziel advises: "People don’t need to spend much to reduce exposure. Affordable solutions include using vinegar for cleaning and opening windows instead of using air fresheners."

3. Plastic Cookware and Cutting Boards

According to the Environmental Working Group, chemical additives like Bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and polyvinyl chloride—commonly found in plastics—are linked to various cancers. Despite these risks, many products, including cutting boards, are still made from synthetic polymers or plastic due to their low cost and perceived durability.

Deziel advises against heating food in plastic containers to prevent harmful chemicals from leaching into food.

She adds: "Switching from plastic to more inert materials like wood, stainless steel, and glass can help reduce chemical exposure and plastic waste."

Food writer Adam James Pollock states: "Studies show bacteria like salmonella and listeria survive longer and more easily on plastic cutting boards, whereas they get trapped in wood fibers and die within minutes."

4. Conventional Sponges

Deziel explains: "Kitchen sponges are often made of synthetic materials and can release microplastics as they degrade with scrubbing. This allows microplastics to enter waterways. Additionally, they can harbor bacteria."

5. Plastic Wrap

According to Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, plastics pose health risks throughout their lifecycle, from petrochemical extraction to disposal. Many plastics contain toxic chemicals, including carcinogens.

For example, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is made with vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen commonly found in packaging, clothing, furniture, toys, medical devices, and construction materials. Over time, PVC releases harmful chemicals linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.

6. Aluminum Foil

A 2019 study found that cooking food in aluminum foil can lead to contamination, with the highest aluminum levels detected in marinated salmon, mackerel, and duck breast—sometimes up to 40 times higher.

While these levels are generally not considered dangerous, they may pose risks to young children or individuals with health conditions. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have not classified aluminum as a carcinogen, nor has research linked it to cancer in animals. However, unlike essential minerals like zinc and iron, aluminum has no biological role and may negatively impact the nervous system, bones, and blood production.