Common Cancer Myths

Cancer is a worrisome subject that has spawned misinformation and a number of myths. Some myths can be very dangerous and cause people to avoid seeking treatment or believe they do not need treatment at all. Not all cancer myths are that damaging or harmful, but they can cause unnecessary panic and make people more concerned about myths than the truth. Most myths are debunked through scientific study and readily available medical knowledge. Learn the truth about cancer so you won't have to worry about being confronted with one of the myths. Your time is better spent doing everything you can to prevent cancer.

The most harmful cancer myths are those about treatment. These myths can have the harmful effect of making people wait too long to get treatment. Not catching cancer and treating it early can be deadly. Here are some popular treatment myths:

-Surgery to remove cancer actually causes it to spread: This myth has led many people to avoid having their cancer removed surgically. Surgery is one of the best ways to treat cancer. Without removal of an effect tumor or other cancer-ridden area, patients will suffer longer and may even be susceptible to the cancer spreading to other parts of the body. Surgeons use special procedures to ensure that the surgically-removed cancer will not spread.

- Skin cancer can be prevented by applying sunscreen once every morning: Using sunscreen WILL help to prevent skin cancer, but applying it just once a day is not enough. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied throughout the day depending on how much time will be spent outdoors in the sun. When swimming or sweating be sure to reapply it more often than when just sitting outside. Believing this myth can actually harm a person and increase their risk for skin cancer.

- The supplement, Coral Calcium, can treat cancer: This myth is very dangerous. If people believe that a supplement can treat their cancer they may avoid going to the doctor. Cancer can spread and grow, leaving them with little treatment options later. This myth comes from false and misleading marketing of the product. Coral Calcium claims are not backed by science and any cancer treating benefit of Coral Calcium has never been proven.

Another group of cancer myths addresses risk factors. There are plenty of rumors about what causes cancer. Many are based upon the misunderstanding of scientific reports. Many are blown out of proportion and cause people to believe the myth and not the facts. Here are some myths about risk factors:

- Cell phones cause cancer: This myth came about because some studies show a possible link between cell phone use and a rare type of brain tumor. Brain cancers, however, are very rare and the studies only showed a very slight link. Not long after the original report was released, another report found no risk in using a cell phone. Some people have extended this myth to other electronics, like microwaves. There has been no conclusive scientific evidence of a link between any electronics and cancer.

- Bug sprays cause cancer: When used properly, household bug sprays have not been linked with cancer. The amount of exposure is very important risk factor, so a person using household bug sprays correctly is not going to be at risk because they are being exposed to a small amount of the chemicals. A related myth claims that pesticides used for fruits and vegetables can cause cancer. Again, the amount of exposure is too low to cause such a risk. This myth leads many people to shy away from fruits and vegetables, which are actually great cancer fighters.

- Grilled meat causes cancer: There is a bit of truth to this myth, but it has been greatly exaggerated. Blackened grilled meat does pose a slight cancer risk because some chemicals produced during grilling blackened meat are considered carcinogens. This can also happen during broiling and pan frying. However, meat that is cooked thoroughly, but not burnt poses little or no risk for cancer.

- Using antiperspirant causes breast cancer: This myth developed from a study that found parabens, preservatives found in antiperspirants to be linked to breast tumors. Further studies revealed that the risk was not supported by enough evidence and it has been determined that antiperspirants do not cause breast cancer.

- Tampons can cause cancer: There was concern that asbestos and dioxins are found in tampons can cause cancer in women. The FDA, however, regulates tampons and states they are safe for use. There is, in fact, no asbestos in tampons. This is just a myth.

- Plastic containers used to heat food in the microwave can lead to cancer: There is a bit of truth to this one. Some studies have shown that the carcinogenic substances in plastic may leak into food during heating. However, plastics that are designed for use in the microwave do not pose this risk. When using plastic containers to heat food in a microwave, just be sure to use a microwave-safe container.

- Artificial sweeteners cause cancer: Some highly publicized reports stated that two artificial sweeteners, cyclamates and saccharin, caused cancer in lab rats. These studies never determined that the same results occur in humans. Also aspartame, another artificial sweetener, has been proven to not cause cancer.

Besides myths about treatment and risk factors for cancer, there are some other widely-circulated myths about cancer. These myths often start a public panic and damage the knowledge people have about cancer. They lead to increased cancer phobias. Here are a couple more myths about cancer:

-The Medical industry knows the cure for cancer, but won't release it: This myth claims that medical science has found a cure for cancer, but it hasn't been released because the medical community makes too much money on cancer each year. Greed supposedly keeps the medical community from releasing the cure. The truth is that there is no cure. We just don't know enough about why people get cancer. Another reason is that each type of cancer acts differently. There will never be one cure for all cancer. Some cancers respond well to particular treatments. Others do not. Researchers work tirelessly to try and find cures for all the different cancers and when they discover something they release it to be tested and approved for the general public. One reason that this myth is nothing but a myth is that people in the medical community suffer from cancer themselves. If a cure really existed, wouldn't they save themselves or a loved one?

- Injuries can cause cancer: Simple injuries like bruises will not cause cancer. There has been no link found between minor injuries and cancer. In very, very rare instances, severe injuries have been linked with cancer. However, these cases represent a small fraction of cancer cases, so sever injuries may only be a slight risk factor.

Myths can be incredibly damaging. Myths cause needless panic and can make people do things that are not healthy. Myths, in a way, are like a cancer risk factor. People who believe myths do not heed medical facts and may end up increasing their risk for cancer or putting off life saving treatments. Don't listen to myths! Consult a reliable medical source like your doctor or a cancer specialist to get the truth.

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