Topic: Email cancer claims false

[Clive]

March 9, 2006
Quentin Reade

A chain letter that claims lipstick causes cancer is spreading across the internet.

The emails claim that some brands of lipstick contain dangerously high levels of lead which can cause cancer.

Cancer Research UK said the email's claims are not true, and technology consultancy Sophos advises that web users should simply delete the email, and not forward it to their contacts.

Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos said: "Chain letters like this are too easily forwarded to friends, family and colleagues without people using their common sense. Stories like this become urban legends, constantly being repeated without anyone bothering to check the facts.

"Hoaxes and chain letters like this are not harmless - they waste time and bandwidth, and can be a genuine headache for support departments. Users need to be more sceptical, and ask themselves whether everything they are told by emails can be believed."

http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/hoaxes/lipstick.html