8 Cancer Myths, Misinformation, And Stigmas
Cancer is a complex group of diseases that leads to the death of many people. The abnormal growth and spread of the cells make it more difficult to treat the patients. Even Though cancer is a deadly disease, it cannot cause death to everyone. The myths and misconceptions often lead to unnecessary fear about cancer in people. This type of wrong information may mislead people about proper prevention and treatment plans. Today, we are going to break the myths in this article, which people have believed for years.
8 Common Myths/Misinformation/ Stigmas
Numerous myths, misinformation, and stigmas surrounding different types of cancers, such as lung, breast, and blood cancer, etc, often obscure the accurate understanding of these conditions. Some of the myths and facts about the cancer are given below:
Myth: Cancer is a contagious disease
Fact: Cancer is not a contagious disease that spreads from one person to another. Unlike other diseases, cancer cannot spread by physical contact. One way that it spreads is through organ transplantation from a cancer-affected donor—proper screening and diagnosis before organ transplantation can help to prevent the spread of cancer.
Myth: Using cell phones increases the risk of cancer
Fact: No, there are no confirmatory studies that prove the link between the use of phones and the risk of cancer. Usually, cell phones emit a low frequency that cannot damage the gene in our body. Hence, it is not unacceptable for cancer information.
Myth: Aspirants and deodorants can cause breast cancer
Fact: No, there is no strong evidence that confirms the link between the chemicals in the deodorants involved in Breast Cancer. It is advised to check the allergens present in the deodorants before using them. Using aspirants and deodorants may cause skin irritation if you have any allergic reaction to the ingredients present in them.
Myth: Eating sugar can increase the risk of cancer
Fact: No, no evidence directly links the consumption of sugar and the risk of cancer. However, eating a high-glucose diet may lead to obesity, which in turn may cause cancer in individuals.
Myth: Surgery or biopsy can aggravate cancer
Fact: No, there is no such evidence that proves the spread of cancer through surgery or biopsy. The chances of spreading the cancer are very low if the surgeon follows a standard protocol. Biopsy is an effective tool in detecting cancer, and surgery can help treat cancer in individuals. Avoiding biopsy and surgery can worsen the cancer even more.
Myth: Cancer is a hereditary disease
Fact: Even though genetic factors play a major role in the cause of cancer. It does mean that this is the only reason which is involved in the onset of cancer. Lifestyle changes and environmental exposure can also be involved in cancer development.
Myth: Cancer is always fatal.
Fact: Even Though cancer is a deadly disease. It does cause death for everyone. Cancer can be effectively treated with appropriate care and prevention. Technological advancements in cancer treatment can help improve the survival rate.
Myth: Lung cancer is prevalent only among smoking people.
Fact: There is a stigma that lung cancer is a smoker’s disease. But it is not true. Lung cancer can also affect passive smokers, occupation workers (miners), and people who are continuously exposed to harmful gases.
Conclusion
Nobody can reject the truth that cancer is a dangerous disease. But it is the myths and misinformation that makes cancer even more dangerous. It is important to dispel the myth and spread the truth about cancer to everyone for the proper management and treatment plans. Cancer treatment can also be easier if it is detected in its early stages. Everyone needs a proper understanding of cancer, which helps them to tackle it effectively. Let’s break the myth and spread the truth!