What are 10 misconceptions about cancer?
1.Hyperbaric oxygen treat cancer
Oxygen is one of life's essential ingredients. "Every cell in our body requires oxygen to survive," says Wissam Jaber, MD, Director of Interventional Pulmonary Medicine at our Phoenix hospital. "We are built to consume oxygen." Cancer cells' relationship with oxygen is a bit more complicated, and that realization has led to decades of research into whether oxygen is good for cancer or bad for it. The answers are still not definitive, but some have used the unknowns to fuel unsupported claims that certain types of oxygen therapies, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, can cure cancer. [1]
2.A lump in your breast leads to breast cancer
No. Finding a lump in your breast does not mean that you have breast cancer, but it should be checked by a doctor.
"Only a small percentage of breast lumps turn out to be cancer," according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation." But if you discover a persistent lump in your breast or notice any changes in breast tissue, it should never be ignored." [3]
3. Eating sugar make my cancer worse
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. [4]
4. Cancer is contagious
In general, no. Cancer is not a contagious disease that easily spreads from person to person. The only situation in which cancer can spread from one person to another is in the case of organ or tissue transplantation. [4]
5. Some herbal products can cure cancer
No. Although some studies suggest that alternative or complementary therapies, including some herbs, may help patients cope with the side effects of cancer treatment, no herbal products have been shown to be effective for treating cancer. [4]
6. If someone in my family has cancer, I'm likely to get it too
Not necessarily. Cancer is caused by harmful changes (mutations) in genes. Only about 5 to 10 percent of cancers are caused by harmful mutations that are inherited from a person's parents. [4]
7. Antiperspirants or deodorants cause breast cancer
No. The best studies so far have found no evidence linking the chemicals typically found in antiperspirants and deodorants with changes in breast tissue. [4]
8. Superfoods prevent cancer
No. Some foods are clearly healthier than others, but according to WHO, the best way to reduce your risk of cancer is by following long-term behaviours or lifestyle practices such as: not smoking, keeping active, keeping your BMI under control [8], and cutting back on alcohol and addictions. [5]
9. 'Acidic' diets cause cancer
No. Some people think that overly 'acidic' diets cause your blood to become 'too acidic', which can increase your risk of cancer. Their proposed answer: increase your intake of healthier 'alkaline' foods like green vegetables and fruits.
True, cancer cells can't live in an overly alkaline environment, but neither can any of the other cells in your body.
Blood is usually slightly alkaline. [5]
10. I shouldn't burden my family by telling them about my disease.
There are many types of cancer and stages, and in general cancer is not a death sentence or a lottery. [6]
When it comes to a cancer diagnosis, you will need as much help as you can to avoid feeling overwhelmed. We tend to think of cancer as a heavy burden that family members must endure, and, yes, caregiver stress is real. But in speaking with families of loved ones surviving cancer, some express gratitude that they had an opportunity to show their love and support. [2] Love means expansion not contraction and while each case is different, we'd consider to share our experience with others. [7]
[1] https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2018/12/unraveling-the-mysteries-about-cancer
[2] https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2018/11/busting-myths-three-dangerous-misconceptions-about-cancer-and-cancer-treatment
[3] https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2019/02/11-cancer-myths-busted
[4] https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/myths
[5] https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/10-persistent-myths-about-cancer-that-are-false-a6709496.html
[6] https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/what-is-cancer/stages-of-cancer?gclid=CjwKCAjwmqKJBhAWEiwAMvGt6JcT58E5ncKMhAIWRehse18DN5452I8m5xUO8tY4gIhBUHI-d0PnMxoCYKMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
[7] https://www.fempton.com/uxton/human-values
[8] https://www.fempton.com/uxton/bmi
Oxygen is one of life's essential ingredients. "Every cell in our body requires oxygen to survive," says Wissam Jaber, MD, Director of Interventional Pulmonary Medicine at our Phoenix hospital. "We are built to consume oxygen." Cancer cells' relationship with oxygen is a bit more complicated, and that realization has led to decades of research into whether oxygen is good for cancer or bad for it. The answers are still not definitive, but some have used the unknowns to fuel unsupported claims that certain types of oxygen therapies, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, can cure cancer. [1]
2.A lump in your breast leads to breast cancer
No. Finding a lump in your breast does not mean that you have breast cancer, but it should be checked by a doctor.
"Only a small percentage of breast lumps turn out to be cancer," according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation." But if you discover a persistent lump in your breast or notice any changes in breast tissue, it should never be ignored." [3]
3. Eating sugar make my cancer worse
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. [4]
4. Cancer is contagious
In general, no. Cancer is not a contagious disease that easily spreads from person to person. The only situation in which cancer can spread from one person to another is in the case of organ or tissue transplantation. [4]
5. Some herbal products can cure cancer
No. Although some studies suggest that alternative or complementary therapies, including some herbs, may help patients cope with the side effects of cancer treatment, no herbal products have been shown to be effective for treating cancer. [4]
6. If someone in my family has cancer, I'm likely to get it too
Not necessarily. Cancer is caused by harmful changes (mutations) in genes. Only about 5 to 10 percent of cancers are caused by harmful mutations that are inherited from a person's parents. [4]
7. Antiperspirants or deodorants cause breast cancer
No. The best studies so far have found no evidence linking the chemicals typically found in antiperspirants and deodorants with changes in breast tissue. [4]
8. Superfoods prevent cancer
No. Some foods are clearly healthier than others, but according to WHO, the best way to reduce your risk of cancer is by following long-term behaviours or lifestyle practices such as: not smoking, keeping active, keeping your BMI under control [8], and cutting back on alcohol and addictions. [5]
9. 'Acidic' diets cause cancer
No. Some people think that overly 'acidic' diets cause your blood to become 'too acidic', which can increase your risk of cancer. Their proposed answer: increase your intake of healthier 'alkaline' foods like green vegetables and fruits.
True, cancer cells can't live in an overly alkaline environment, but neither can any of the other cells in your body.
Blood is usually slightly alkaline. [5]
10. I shouldn't burden my family by telling them about my disease.
There are many types of cancer and stages, and in general cancer is not a death sentence or a lottery. [6]
When it comes to a cancer diagnosis, you will need as much help as you can to avoid feeling overwhelmed. We tend to think of cancer as a heavy burden that family members must endure, and, yes, caregiver stress is real. But in speaking with families of loved ones surviving cancer, some express gratitude that they had an opportunity to show their love and support. [2] Love means expansion not contraction and while each case is different, we'd consider to share our experience with others. [7]
[1] https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2018/12/unraveling-the-mysteries-about-cancer
[2] https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2018/11/busting-myths-three-dangerous-misconceptions-about-cancer-and-cancer-treatment
[3] https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2019/02/11-cancer-myths-busted
[4] https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/myths
[5] https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/10-persistent-myths-about-cancer-that-are-false-a6709496.html
[6] https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/what-is-cancer/stages-of-cancer?gclid=CjwKCAjwmqKJBhAWEiwAMvGt6JcT58E5ncKMhAIWRehse18DN5452I8m5xUO8tY4gIhBUHI-d0PnMxoCYKMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
[7] https://www.fempton.com/uxton/human-values
[8] https://www.fempton.com/uxton/bmi
