Are Your Cooking Oils Secretly Increasing Your Cancer Risk?

Most kitchens have them. Few know the danger they carry.

By Dr. Pradeep Bhaskar, Consultant Radiation Oncologist — Kakinada

 We're in an age of food fad craziness. One minute it's ghee, the next minute it's avocado oil. Instagram videos proclaim seed oils are poisonous. Carnivore bloggers instruct you to sauté all your food in beef fat. And you? You're simply attempting to make a better decision.

The twist, though: not all oils are the same — and some may be quietly eroding your health.

Cancer is not all about genetics. It's closely related to what we eat, the way we prepare it, and what we habituate. Let's dissect the reality of oils — past the hashtags and the hype.

1. Seed Oils Aren't the Bad Guy (But They're Not Angels Either)

Soybean, canola, sunflower — the classic culprits in your pantry. They contain high levels of omega-6 fatty acids, and here's the catch: omega-6 is not the devil — your body needs it.

The catch? It's everywhere — on processed foods, fast foods, fried foods. When omega-6 takes over your plate, it drives chronic inflammation, and inflammation invites cancer risk.

"Seed oils are alright if used in moderation," says Kakinada's top oncologist, Dr. Pradeep Bhaskar. "The problem is with the excess use in ultra-processed foods."

2. Animal Fats Such As Tallow Are Trendy, But.

Beef tallow has a social media moment. So does butter. And lard. Some influencers say it's a comeback to ancestral knowledge.

Your arteries — and your cells — might have something to say otherwise.

Saturated fat, which occurs in animal oils, is associated with inflammation, obesity, and yes, cancer. Some research even implicates consumption of tallow in intestinal and prostate cancers in model systems.

"Cancer patients in recovery should restrict saturated fat," advises Dr. Bhaskar. "It's not about demonizing fat — it's about selecting the good stuff."

3. It's Not Just What You Use. It's How

You could be using the cleanest, cold-pressed organic oil — but if you’re overheating it, you’re inviting risk.

Overheating oils beyond their smoke point releases PAHs and aldehydes — compounds linked to cancer.

Here’s a cheat sheet:

???? Use olive oil or flaxseed oil for low-heat cooking.

???? Use avocado or canola oil for high-heat sautéing or frying.

???? Never reuse or reheat oils. It destroys nutrients and produces toxic fumes.

4. The Reheat Trap: Cooking's Stealth Saboteur

Ever reuse oil to "save waste"? Don't. Reheated oils lose their nutrients and form carcinogens.

Breast, colon, and prostate cancer have all been connected to repeated heating of oil.

Especially in Indian households where deep frying is prevalent, this single blunder may have a tremendous price to pay.

5. "Healthy Oil" Marketing Is Often Just. Marketing

Cold-pressed. Organic. GMO-free. Labels entice you in. But too many so-called "healthy oils" are ultra-refined, stripped of nutrients, and processed at high temperatures.

If your oil has no scent, taste, or appears crystal clear — it's likely been chemically refined. That's branding, not health.

6. Ask the Real Question: How Much Fat Do You Actually Need?

Rather than worrying about which oil, think how much. We all overuse fats unknowingly — even the so-called "healthy" ones.

Dr. Bhaskar's tip:

Use oil sprays to control portions.

Cook in non-stick pans to minimize dependence.

Make steaming, baking, and roasting a priority over deep-frying.

7. So, What Should You Actually Use?

Here's the easy, expert-approved guide:

 For regular cooking: Olive oil or avocado oil

 For high-heat: Canola oil

 Best practice: Cold-pressed, lightly processed oils

Don't: Reheat, deep-fry, overuse animal fats

8. Bottom Line: Cancer Prevention Begins in Your Kitchen

You don't have to be afraid of every drop of oil. You simply need to remain aware and deliberate.

"The target is harmony," says Dr. Pradeep Bhaskar, one of Kakinada's top oncologists. "Your daily choices of oil may appear insignificant — but cumulatively, they frame your risk profile. Awareness is your first defense."

Want to Take Control of Your Health?

If you’re recovering from cancer — or trying to reduce your future risk — your diet matters. And so do your daily choices.

For expert guidance, consult Dr. Pradeep Bhaskar, MBBS, DNB (Radiation Oncology), FIGRS — Kakinada’s trusted cancer specialist combining cutting-edge treatment with lifestyle-based care.