Cancer Survivor Shares Kitchen Items She'll Never Use Again-Expert Explains

A video of a cancer survivor sharing the 12 items she will never use in her kitchen again has amassed over 10 million views on Instagram. Newsweek spoke with Susana Demore, 42, who was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer at 35 weeks pregnant. The aggressive form of invasive breast cancer accounts for about 10-15 percent of all breast cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. Demore, from Houston, Texas, was given the all-clear in December 2022. Today, she uses her platform (@onehealedmama) to tell others about how she transformed her lifestyle, prioritizing health and removing products containing harmful ingredients. While pregnant, Demore, a doctor of physical therapy, underwent one round of chemotherapy before delivering her baby four weeks early. Afterward, she resumed treatment with multiple rounds of chemo, but when her tumor regrew, she required a lumpectomy, followed by a mastectomy with reconstruction preparation.

She completed seven weeks of radiation and attempted oral chemotherapy, but severe cardiac side effects forced her to stop. Seven months later, she underwent a 12-hour DIEP reconstruction surgery, followed by a long recovery and additional procedures. The entire process spanned two and a half years. "Once I was able to get myself to a better place, I got serious about making lifestyle changes. I've swapped personal care products—including skincare, haircare, cleaning supplies, and laundry detergents—and made many changes in our kitchen as well, because what touches our food matters," she told Newsweek. Recently, plastic has been in the limelight but for the wrong reasons. The material used in many everyday items, including packaging, cell phones, and clothing is impossible to avoid. But that doesn't mean you can't reduce your use by ditching items like Demore. Newsweek spoke to Nicole Deziel, researcher at Yale Cancer Center and associate professor of epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health. She said: "Unfortunately, many chemicals in our household products have been linked to cancer or other health issues, such as thyroid disease, obesity, and effects on the immune system. While it's impossible to avoid all exposures in modern society, there are steps people can take to reduce everyday contact with these types of chemicals. "While reducing exposures within the home will create a healthier environment and can help lower risk of cancer and other health issues, it's important to remember that genetics also play a role in cancer risk. "In addition, physical activity, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, protecting yourself from sun exposure are all additional and powerful ways to reduce risk of cancer."

Kitchen Items She No Longer Uses

Deziel notes that different chemicals are in each of the items mentioned in the viral Instagram post. She agreed that people can "minimize exposure by making safer choices in cookware."

Nonstick Baking Sheets and Pans

Demore has replaced these items with stainless steel ones. The American Cancer Society states that nonstick cookware coatings may contain PFAS, a group of synthetic chemicals used since the 1940s, are valued for their resistance to oil, water, stains, and heat. They are found in non-stick cookware, protective coatings, food packaging, firefighting foams, and other products. According to the FDA, these chemicals are polymerized and tightly bound, minimizing their transfer to food. While the American Cancer Society does not determine carcinogenicity, some studies suggest a small increased risk of testicular, kidney, and thyroid cancers with PFOA exposure. Other possible links to prostate, bladder, breast, and ovarian cancers require further research.

Fabuloso All-Purpose Cleaner

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Fabuloso contains no known carcinogens. However, recalled batches may contain Pseudomonas bacteria, which pose a serious infection risk to individuals with weakened immune systems, medical devices, or lung conditions. However, healthy individuals are generally not affected. Newsweek reached out to Colgate-Palmolive, the company that owns Fabuloso cleaning products, via online form.

Air Fresheners

Research by Dr. Anne Steinemann (2017) found that air fresheners emit over 100 chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene, as well as semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) like phthalates. These chemicals have been linked to neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive, immune, and endocrine system issues, as well as cancer. Acetaldehyde, a common emission, is classified as a carcinogenic hazardous air pollutant in the U.S. While studies suggest health risks, further research is needed to understand long-term exposure effects, particularly for vulnerable populations. Deziel told Newsweek: "People do not need to spend a lot of money to reduce exposures. There are low cost options, such as using vinegar for cleaning and opening windows instead of using any type of air freshener."

Plastic Cooking Utensils, Tupperware, Cutting Boards

According to the Environmental Working Group, chemical additives such as Bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and polyvinyl chloride—commonly found in plastics—have been linked to certain cancers. Despite these risks, many products, including cutting boards, continue to be made with synthetic polymers or plastic due to their low cost and perceived durability. Deziel advises against heating food in plastic containers to help prevent harmful chemicals from leaching into food. She said: "In general, replacing plastics with more inert materials like wood, stainless steel, and glass can help reduce both chemical exposure and plastic waste." Food and cooking author Adam James Pollock recently told Newsweek: "Studies have shown that bacteria like salmonella and listeria can live longer and multiple easier on plastic chopping boards, whereas the same bacteria get stuck in the small wood fibers of wooden chopping boards within minutes and die. Wooden boards are generally more expensive, though, so better is a little subjective."

Conventional Sponge

Deziel told Newsweek: "Kitchen sponges are typically made of synthetic materials and can potentially release microplastics as they start to fragment after aggressive scouring and scrubbing. This could result in microplastics entering the waterways. In addition, they can potentially harbor bacteria."

Cling Film

Saran Wrap is a brand of cling film produced by SC Johnson. Newsweek has reached out to SC Johnson for comment via an online form. According to Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, plastics pose health risks throughout their lifecycle, from petrochemical extraction to disposal. Many plastics contain harmful chemicals, including carcinogens. For example, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is made with vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen, and is commonly found in packaging, clothing, furniture, toys, medical devices, and building materials. Over time, PVC releases toxic chemicals linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.

AJAX Cleaning Products

Newsweek contacted AJAX via its online contact form. According to a safety sheet from Delta College - University Center, AJAX cleaning products contain small amounts of crystalline silica, a naturally occurring impurity in calcium carbonate. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) has listed crystalline silica as a known human carcinogen based on increased lung cancer rates in workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica, such as during sandblasting. However, under normal household use, no significant health risk is expected.

Aluminum Foil

A 2019 study found that baking food in aluminum foil can lead to contamination, with the highest aluminum levels detected in marinated salmon, mackerel, and duck breast—up to 40 times higher in some cases. While these levels are generally not considered dangerous, they may pose risks for young children or individuals with health conditions. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have not classified aluminum as a carcinogen, and no studies link it to cancer in animals. However, unlike essential minerals like zinc and iron, aluminum has no biological role and may negatively affect the nervous system, bones, and blood production. Is there a health issue that's worrying you? Let us know via health@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.