Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Earwax could hold secrets to cancer, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease

Sandra Vamos, EdD and Domenic Alaimo
Conditions
June 14, 2025
Share
Tweet
Share

Most of us think of earwax as a nuisance–something to be cleaned out and discarded. But, did you know that this sticky substance is a natural part of your body that can reveal information about your health?

If you regularly clean your ears at home, it’s worth a second thought. Although a part of general hygiene, overdoing it–or using hairpins, toothpicks, and other pointy tools–can do more harm than good. Specialists warn that at-home earwax removal kits can be risky too. Scientists are discovering that earwax actually has “near-magical properties.” Instead of digging around, it’s best to let trained professionals safely collect and analyze your earwax.

May is National Hearing and Speech Month in Canada and Speech-Language-Hearing Month in the U.S. It’s a great time to celebrate doctors, audiologists, and scientists–those who promote healthy hearing and overall well-being. Researchers are exploring the overlooked world of earwax analysis and what it can reveal about our health. While a promising field and a way to monitor health conditions, it’s still mostly experimental with untapped potential.

Just like everyone has a unique fingerprint, our earwax is also distinct. Also known as cerumen, earwax is a mix of dead skin flakes, gland secretions, and hair, protecting the outer ear canal. Everyday cerumen travels from the inside to the outside of the ear at the speed of about 0.05 millimetres, which is a similar speed to fingernail growth.

Scientists are finding that analyzing a person’s earwax chemistry can provide insight into diagnoses and diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease. Recent studies are tracing stress hormones, environmental pollutants, and drugs. Even the colour of your earwax can indicate potential health problems, such as yellow to green earwax seen in ear infections and streaks of blood caused by injury to the ear canal.

Researchers have found that testing earwax with a lab test called a cerumenogram may help detect signs of cancer. This simple test looks at tiny chemical changes in earwax, some of which are linked to different forms of cancer. A recent study even showed that it can spot early warning signs before cancer fully develops. Because it’s fast, painless, and inexpensive, this test could one day become a helpful tool for diagnosing, treating, and possibly preventing cancer.

Yet, there is no universally accepted method to collect and analyze earwax. Since this is an emerging area of early-stage research, earwax is still not widely recognized or used by doctors as a diagnostic tool. And costs remain high without commercial production of devices and insurance coverage. The Ontario Health and Insurance Plan (OHIP) does not currently cover the cost of earwax removal, with some exceptions. In Canada, earwax removal can range between $45–90. In the U.K., millions without funding or support for earwax services are calling for action from their government via the Stop the Block campaign.

Earwax is more than just gunk–it’s a goldmine packed with clues about our past, snapshots of our present, and secrets to our future health. As interest in earwax analysis grows, here are five ways we can unlock its full potential in Canada and beyond:

  • Scientists are only beginning to uncover what earwax can tell us. We need to fund studies to continue exploring earwax as a health tool.
  • As with any new medical approach, we need proper guidelines to make sure earwax analysis is used safely and responsibly.
  • Governments, universities, industries, and insurers should all invest in bringing earwax analysis into mainstream health care.
  • If earwax analysis can help prevent illness early, it should be included in health insurance plans–just like blood tests or checkups.
  • Through public campaigns and social media, let’s shift the mindset: earwax isn’t gross–it’s a health record worth listening to.

Our earwax quietly builds up over time, but holds loud potential. As a non-invasive and accessible sample, it’s a promising addition to the diagnostic toolkit. It’s time we start listening to what it has to say.

Sandra Vamos is a health care consultant. Domenic Alaimo is a medical student.

Prev

Why male fertility needs to be part of every health conversation

June 14, 2025 Kevin 0
…
Next

Inside human trafficking: a guide to recognizing and preventing it [PODCAST]

June 14, 2025 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: Cardiology, Oncology/Hematology

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Why male fertility needs to be part of every health conversation
Next Post >
Inside human trafficking: a guide to recognizing and preventing it [PODCAST]

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

  • Gun violence is our society’s disease

    Leslie Mattson, MD
  • AI’s role in streamlining colorectal cancer screening [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • Poverty: America’s disease with devastating consequences

    Osmund Agbo, MD
  • The surprising risks of long-term proton pump inhibitor use

    Christopher Medrano, MD
  • High-deductible health plans: a barrier to care for chronic conditions

    Shirin Hund, MD
  • Pandemic aftermath: Navigating a new normal in health, education, and social dynamics

    Susan Levenstein, MD

More in Conditions

  • Affordable postpartum hemorrhage solutions every OB/GYN should know

    Frank I. Jackson, DO
  • How are prostate exams done and why you shouldn’t avoid them

    Martina Ambardjieva, MD, PhD
  • Airlines’ policy ignores your do not resuscitate (DNR): Discover why and some ways to protect yourself

    Althea Halchuck, EJD
  • How coaching transforms care for people with multiple sclerosis

    Jessica Singh, MD and Liz Kiniry
  • Integrating vitamin education in mental health care

    Scarlett Saitta
  • Mumps orchitis still causes infertility years after childhood

    Oluyemisi Famuyiwa, MD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Why taxing remittances harms families and global health care

      Dalia Saha, MD | Finance
    • How AI, animals, and ecosystems reveal a new kind of intelligence

      Fateh Entabi, MD | Tech
    • Why kratom addiction is the next public health crisis

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Meds
    • A physician employment agreement term that often tricks physicians

      Dennis Hursh, Esq | Finance
    • The hidden moral injury behind value-based health care

      Jonathan Bushman, DO | Physician
    • When medicine surrenders to ideology

      Anonymous | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • Forced voicemail and diagnosis codes are endangering patient access to medications

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Meds
    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
    • The One Big Beautiful Bill and the fragile heart of rural health care

      Holland Haynie, MD | Policy
    • Who gets to be well in America: Immigrant health is on the line

      Joshua Vasquez, MD | Policy
    • Why specialist pain clinics and addiction treatment services require strong primary care

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Conditions
    • The hidden health risks in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

      Trevor Lyford, MPH | Policy
  • Recent Posts

    • When medicine surrenders to ideology

      Anonymous | Physician
    • How just culture can reduce burnout and boost health care staff retention

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Physician
    • Why embracing imperfection makes you truly unforgettable

      Osmund Agbo, MD | Physician
    • Affordable postpartum hemorrhage solutions every OB/GYN should know

      Frank I. Jackson, DO | Conditions
    • Why kratom addiction is the next public health crisis

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Meds
    • Why taxing remittances harms families and global health care

      Dalia Saha, MD | Finance

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

Leave a Comment

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Why taxing remittances harms families and global health care

      Dalia Saha, MD | Finance
    • How AI, animals, and ecosystems reveal a new kind of intelligence

      Fateh Entabi, MD | Tech
    • Why kratom addiction is the next public health crisis

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Meds
    • A physician employment agreement term that often tricks physicians

      Dennis Hursh, Esq | Finance
    • The hidden moral injury behind value-based health care

      Jonathan Bushman, DO | Physician
    • When medicine surrenders to ideology

      Anonymous | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • Forced voicemail and diagnosis codes are endangering patient access to medications

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Meds
    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
    • The One Big Beautiful Bill and the fragile heart of rural health care

      Holland Haynie, MD | Policy
    • Who gets to be well in America: Immigrant health is on the line

      Joshua Vasquez, MD | Policy
    • Why specialist pain clinics and addiction treatment services require strong primary care

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Conditions
    • The hidden health risks in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

      Trevor Lyford, MPH | Policy
  • Recent Posts

    • When medicine surrenders to ideology

      Anonymous | Physician
    • How just culture can reduce burnout and boost health care staff retention

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Physician
    • Why embracing imperfection makes you truly unforgettable

      Osmund Agbo, MD | Physician
    • Affordable postpartum hemorrhage solutions every OB/GYN should know

      Frank I. Jackson, DO | Conditions
    • Why kratom addiction is the next public health crisis

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Meds
    • Why taxing remittances harms families and global health care

      Dalia Saha, MD | Finance

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Leave a Comment

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...