Fact or Fiction? Common Cancer Myths and the Truth Behind Them!
- P4P Author
- Oct 11, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 18, 2020
Myth 1: Eating sugar will make my cancer "worse".
Answer: No. Although research has shown that cancer cells consume more sugar (glucose) than normal cells, no studies have shown that eating sugar will make your cancer "worse" or that if you stop eating sugar, your cancer will shrink or disappear. However, a high-sugar diet may contribute to excess weight gain, and obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing several types of cancer.
Myth 2: Cancer is contagious.
Answer: In most cases, no. Cancer is not a contagious disease that easily spreads from person to person. The only case in which cancer can spread from one person to another is in the event of an organ or tissue transplant. A person who receives tissue or an organ from a donor who has had a history with cancer may be at increased risk of developing a transplant-related cancer in the future. However, that risk is extremely low—about two cases of cancer per 10,000 organ transplants. In general, doctors prefer to avoid the use of organs or tissue from donors who have had cancer in the past.
Myth 3: Phones/electronic devices cause cancer.
Answer: No, they do not cause cancer. Even though cell phones produce radiation, the energy released is not sufficient to cause cancer or damage DNA in body cells. This misconception goes back to 2011, when the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the radiation from cell phones to be carcinogenic. However, both scientists and the WHO later declared that there are no direct links between cancer and cell phone usage. Despite the clarification, the myth is still circulating today!
Myth 4: Being diagnosed with cancer means the end of life.
Answer: It is important to note that not all cancer can cause death. It depends on the type of cancer and the part of the body affected. Early detections offer the patient more treatment methods and thus a higher chance of survival and healthy recovery. According to cancer research in the UK, over 50 percent of people diagnosed with cancer in England and Wales live for over 10 years after being diagnosis. A healthier lifestyle, including reduced smoking rates, helps improve survival rates as well. Although cancer cannot be completely cured, some of the most common types of cancer can be controlled for years when being closely monitored and treated.
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