Cancer myths tend to gain a life of their own, but knowing the truth can help you better protect yourself or make wiser treatment choices.
"Cancer" was once a word only said in whispers, and even today, many people cite a cancer
diagnosis as one of their greatest fears. Perhaps that's why so many
myths and rumors about cancer still exist. But these false beliefs —
some fueled by bad information, others as outgrowths of fear — do
nothing but increase anxiety.
Whatever their source, these cancer myths can be very damaging as
they spread. They can distract you from protecting yourself against
known cancer causes, instead drawing your focus to things that have no
impact on your chances of contracting cancer. And they can hurt cancer
patients' chances of beating the disease by creating a sense of
hopelessness or by enticing them to pursue unproven remedies.
Here are eight common cancer myths and the truth about each,
according to leading authorities, including the National Cancer
Institute, the American Cancer Society, and the American Society of
Clinical Oncology.
1. The chance you'll die of cancer increases every year.
More people are being diagnosed with cancer these days, but medical
advances have improved survival rates and overall quality of life for
cancer patients. The five-year survival rate for all cancers combined
has shown steady improvement over the past three decades, and more than
60 percent of people diagnosed with cancer are still alive five years
after diagnosis. There's been a steady decrease in the number of people
dying from cancer, even as the overall population of the United States
has increased.
2. You're more likely to develop lung cancer from urban air pollution than from smoking cigarettes. Breathing the air of a polluted city is much less likely to cause lung cancer
than smoking cigarettes or being frequently exposed to secondhand
smoke. The numbers speak for themselves: Nearly 9 in 10 lung cancers, or
about 87 percent, result either from smoking or exposure to secondhand
smoke.
3. Using certain antiperspirants, shampoos, deodorants, or other personal toiletries can increase your breast cancer risk. This
rumor holds that harmful substances in these products are absorbed
through the skin or enter the body through nicks or cuts. Research has
found no evidence to support this claim, including at least one
epidemiological study that directly compared women with and without breast cancer and found no link between their health and their toiletries.
4. Cell phones cause brain cancer. As of yet, there is no credible evidence that exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted from cell phones
or other personal electronics can cause cancer. One recent study found
that cell phone users had no elevated risk for a number of different
cancers, even if they'd been using the phones for a decade or more. More
research is ongoing, but for now the risk seems minimal.
5. Fluoridated water increases your cancer risk. Rumors
about fluoride in drinking water causing cancer have swirled for
decades, but no evidence has ever been found to support this myth. The
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently produced a
survey of existing research that found no credible evidence of an
increased cancer risk in people who drink fluoridated water — and half
the U.S. population does.
6. There's a cure for cancer out there, and the medical establishment is keeping it hidden. People
who research and treat cancer develop the disease at the same rate as
all other Americans, which presumably would not happen were there a cancer cure
at their disposal. Also, the idea itself of a single miracle cure is a
myth, as dozens of different types of cancers each respond differently
to treatment.
7. Cancer is always a painful disease, so if you feel fine, you don’t have cancer. Many
types of cancer cause little to no pain, especially in the early
stages. That's why it is important to pay attention to other signs and
symptoms for the early detection of cancer and why regular screenings
are recommended for cancers of the cervix, breast, and colon.
8. If your mom or dad had cancer, it's likely you'll have it one day. While
the chances vary depending on the type of cancer, a family history of
cancer doesn't mean that you will automatically develop the disease
yourself. Some forms of cancer like breast, ovarian, and colorectal
cancer pass to the next generation in an inherited form only 5 to 10
percent of the time.
Arming yourself with knowledge — the truth rather than myths — is the best way to fight every type of cancer.
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