Mold, Mycotoxins, and Cancer Risk: What You Need to Know

Researched and written by Keith Bishop, Clinical Nutritionist, Cancer Coach, Retired Pharmacist, and Founder of Prevail Over Cancer.

Mold and fungus are more than just household nuisances — they may pose serious health risks, including contributing to cancer development. While not all mold exposure leads to disease, particular species produce mycotoxins, toxic compounds that have been linked to liver, kidney, and esophageal cancers. This Prevail Over Cancer blog post examines the science behind mold-related health risks, provides guidance on testing your environment and body, and offers actionable strategies to minimize exposure.

⚠️ Health Concerns Linked to Mold and Mycotoxins

Mold exposure can trigger:

• Respiratory issues: Asthma, sinusitis, chronic cough
• Neurological symptoms: Brain fog, memory loss, dizziness
• Immune dysfunction: Autoimmunity, frequent infections
• Hormonal imbalances: Fatigue, irregular cycles, blood sugar swings
• Skin issues: Rashes, itching, hives
• Cancer risks
• Mold exposure and the mycotoxins can cause chronic inflammation, immune suppression, and toxin accumulation, which can contribute to cancer development.
• Kidney Renal cancer
• Liver cancer[i] [ii]
• Esophageal cancer
• Lung cancer
• Leukemia and Lymphoma

🧫 What Are Mycotoxins?

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by molds, including Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, and Stachybotrys. These compounds can contaminate indoor environments and food supplies, and they’re known to be carcinogenic, immunosuppressive, and neurotoxic.

• Aflatoxins (from Aspergillus flavus) are classified as Group 1 carcinogens by the IARC and are strongly linked to liver cancer.
• Ochratoxin A and fumonisins have been associated with kidney and esophageal cancers.
• Mycotoxins are fat-soluble, meaning they can accumulate in tissues and persist long after exposure.

🌍 How Common Is Mold Exposure?

Mold is ubiquitous. According to the CDC, mold spores are present in most indoor and outdoor environments. However, chronic exposure in water-damaged buildings or contaminated food can lead to toxic buildup.

• Indoor mold is common in homes with leaks, poor ventilation, or high humidity.
• Food contamination is prevalent in grains, peanuts, corn, coffee, and dried fruits.
• A 2022 study found that urine mycotoxin testing revealed significant exposure in patients with chronic fatigue, brain fog, and respiratory symptoms.

🏠 Sources of Mold and Fungus

Mold thrives in damp, poorly ventilated spaces. Common sources include:

• Leaky roofs, windows, or plumbing
• Flooded basements or crawl spaces
• Heating and air conditioning systems and ductwork
• Carpets, drywall, and insulation
• Contaminated food (primarily grains (corn, wheat, rice), nuts, and coffee)

🧪 How to Test Your Home or Workplace

Petri Dish (Settling Plate) Test

This DIY method captures airborne mold spores:

1. Open a petri dish with agar medium and leave it exposed to air for 1 hour.
   Do the same with a petri dish outside for 1 hour.
2. Seal the dish and incubate for 48–96 hours.
3. Observe mold growth and send to a lab for identification.

For detailed instructions, see PRO-LAB’s Mold Test Kit Guide.

HVAC Sampling

Tape the petri dish to an air vent and run the system for 10 minutes. This method detects mold circulating through your ventilation system.

Professional Testing

Professional mold testing is a crucial step in identifying hidden mold growth and evaluating indoor air quality, particularly in homes or workplaces with water damage, musty odors, or unexplained health issues. Certified inspectors use a combination of air sampling, surface swabs, moisture detection, and infrared imaging to pinpoint mold hotspots and determine the type and concentration of spores present. Samples are sent to independent laboratories for analysis, ensuring accurate and unbiased results. Companies offer comprehensive services, including visual inspections, lab reports, and remediation protocols tailored to your environment. This level of testing is especially valuable for individuals with respiratory conditions, compromised immunity, or concerns about mold-related cancer risks.

How to Test Your Body for Mold and Mycotoxins

Urine Mycotoxin Testing

This is the gold standard for detecting mold toxicity in the body:

• Measures excreted mycotoxins like aflatoxins, ochratoxins, and trichothecenes.
• Uses LC-MS/MS technology for high sensitivity.
• Can detect both recent and chronic exposure.

Recommended Laboratory:

• MycoTOX by Mosaic Diagnostics (formerly Great Plains)

To enhance accuracy, take liposomal glutathione for 5–7 days before testing to stimulate detoxification.

🧹 How to Remediate Mold in Your Environment

Effective mold remediation involves:

1. Inspection & Assessment – Identify all sources of mold.
2. Containment – Isolate affected areas with plastic sheeting.
3. HEPA Filtration – Use air scrubbers to remove airborne spores.
4. Source Removal – Remove contaminated drywall, insulation, and carpet.
5. Cleaning – Scrub surfaces with fungicide and vacuum with HEPA filters.
6. Drying – Use dehumidifiers and fans to reduce moisture.
7. Post-Remediation Testing – Confirm success with air and surface tests.

For a step-by-step guide, watch SBP’s Mold Remediation Tutorial.

🧘 How to Reduce Mold and Mycotoxins in Your Body

Detox Strategies

• Diet: Avoid sugar and mold-prone foods (corn, peanuts, wheat, grains, nuts and seeds, coffee, chocolate, dried fruits, milk, cheese, butter). Focus on anti-inflammatory, low-glycemic meals.
• Binders: Activated charcoal, bentonite clay, and GI Detox help trap mycotoxins.
  Designs for Health Charcoal Plus Binder (Discount Code: PREVAIL10)
• Glutathione: Supports liver detoxification.
  Designs for Health Liposomal Glutathione (Discount Code: PREVAIL10)
• Infrared Sauna and Exercise: Promotes sweating and toxin release.
  Amazon Blankets from $100, Portable tents from $180, Wood from $1,500.
• Nasal irrigation: Clears mold from the sinuses using saline and antifungal drops.
• Saline Nasal Rinse i.e. NeilMed Sinus Rinse
  Amazon Source
• NutriBiotic Nasal Spray (Grapefruit Seed Extract)
  Amazon Source
• Compounding Pharmacies with Rx from healthcare provider
  Flourish Compounding Pharmacy

🧬 Final Thoughts

Mold and mycotoxins are silent disruptors of health. Testing your home and body, remediating exposure, and supporting detox pathways can dramatically improve outcomes, especially in cancer prevention and integrative care.

Reference Sources

[i] https://monographs.iarc.who.int/list-of-classifications

[ii] Huybrechts I, Jacobs I, Biessy C, et al. Associations between dietary mycotoxins exposures and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in a European cohort. PLoS One. 2024;19(12):e0315561. Published 2024 Dec 16. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0315561 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11649147/