JAKARTA - Until now, there is still a perception in the community that spraying perfume on the neck area can cause cancer, especially thyroid cancer.
However, this assumption turned out to be not true. This was emphasized by the Specialist Surgeon Subspecialist Oncology Surgeon at Pondok Indah Hospital, Dr. dr. Diani Kartini, Sp. B, Subsp. Onk. (K).
"Spray perfume on the neck because it is thyroid cancer, it's a hoax," said dr. Diani, during a media discussion in Menteng, Central Jakarta, written Friday, May 29, 2026.
Thyroid cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the thyroid tissue grow uncontrollably and form a malignant tumor. The cause of thyroid cancer is not yet known for certain, but there are several factors that increase the risk.
One of them is radiation exposure. Especially radiation to the head and neck area (for example from medical treatment in childhood, the effects of which can appear 10 to 20 years after exposure.
Doctor Diani said that exposure to perfume directly to the skin, such as in the neck area, does not affect the formation of cancer. However, if the exposure occurs in areas of the skin that are often exposed to radiation, it can trigger cancer.
"There are indeed some carcinogens that cause cancer, but of course it depends on the type as well and how it works. For example, exposure in the area exposed to radiation, well that can get cancer," he explained.
"If it is sprayed on the skin (only), it can cause thyroid cancer, it is a hoax," he added.
Meanwhile, other factors that can cause thyroid cancer are hereditary (genetic) factors, to iodine deficiency which can trigger swelling (goiter) and increase the susceptibility of thyroid follicles.
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