These are some of the common myths and facts about cancer:
1. Myth: If your parents have cancer, you will have also got it.
Fact: While some cancers are genetic, that does not mean that you will definitely develop cancer. Cancers like Breast cancer, ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer are a few that can be passed down genetically. It is estimated that only 5 to 10% of all cancers are truly hereditary.
2. Myth: Breast cancer is inherited only from mother’s family.
Fact: It is not 100% correct. Genes related to breast cancer can also be inherited from the father side and one needs to be vigilant about the check-ups. One might benefit from talking with a genetics professional about possible increase risk for breast cancer and to prevent the risks.
Fact: Not only women but also men get breast cancer but male breast cancer is uncommon, but may occur.
4. Myth: Some types of cancer can be contagious.
Fact: No type of cancer is contagious. However there are to contagious viruses, HPV and Hepatitis C, Which can cause cancer. HPV causes cervical cancer and Hepatitis C causes Liver cancer. Both viruses can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse.
5. Myth: All tumors eventually become cancerous and ultimately lead to death.
Fact: Many tumors at the beginning are not cancerous.
6. Myth: Electro- magnetic field exposure leads to cancer.
Fact: The research showed that there may be risk of brain cancer, leukemia, Lymphomas and breast cancer, due to residential exposures to electric and magnetic fields ( televisions, microwave ovens and electric blankets). But most findings have been inconclusive.
7. Myth: Wearing antiperspirants and deodorant can cause cancer.
Fact: There is no evidence that wearing them can cause breast cancer. (This myth is most popular among women).
8. Myth: Electronic devices, like cell phones, cause cancer.
Fact: Some studies showed a link with certain rare type’s brain tumors with the use of cell phones. But there is no consistent association between cell phone use and brain cancer. Research is still going on.
9. Myth: Cancer causes hair loss.
Fact: Cancer does not cause hair loss. But in some patients hair loss is a side effect of cancer treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
10. Myth: Cancer almost always leads to a painful death.
Fact: Many cancers cause no pain, at least until the final stages and in most cases pain can be managed.
11. Myth: Eating meat cooked on a charcoal grill will not cause cancer.
Fact: Meat or chicken fried at a very high temperature is most problematic. So don’t take them regularly. The best approach may be to enjoy grilled meats occasionally. The chemicals created by grilling meats are called heterocyclic amines which are formed during grilling, broiling or even searing meat in a very hot frying pan.
12. Myth: Cancer cannot be prevented.
Fact: 2/3 of all cancers may be preventable if we avoid taking tobacco, alcohol etc and taking a healthy diet and doing exercise regularly.
Governments and Social organizations should try to increase cancer awareness among patients and common people. Advances in Cancer research and treatment are helping to prevent cancer deaths if we detect them early. We can prevent many of the cancer deaths with regular screening tests and early detection.
Prevention is better than cure.
Source: Indian Express
