7 Famous Cancer Myths: Truth Revealed

The following are 7 cancer myths to be aware of:

1. Cancer will definitely lead to death.

   No, this is definitely not true. Early detection is the key to fighting this disease, and various studies have, time and again, shown that the sooner the cancer is detected, the much higher are the chances of recovery. In fact, there is a huge gap between the recovery rate when cancer symptoms are detected in the first year compared to the fifth year. For certain types of cancer, recovery stands at 100%.

2. Cancer can spread as a contagion. 

   Tumors are not infectious. Some cancers may be caused by viruses or bacteria, like Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C (liver cancer), Helicobacter pylori bacteria (stomach cancer), Human Papillomavirus (cervical cancer), or Epstein Barr virus (lymphomas, nasopharyngeal cancers, and stomach cancer). But they do not spread by touching, coughing, or sneezing.

3. Cancer can be treated by herbal medicine. 

   No, this is not true. Though there are some alternative medicines or therapies that may help patients cope with the strong effects of cancer treatment, there is no research that proves that any of the herbal products or alternative medication effectively treat cancer. Therefore, it should be used only as a complementary course along with allopathy.

4. If operated on, cancer can spread.

   Not true. There is no scientific evidence to support this. It is highly recommended not to postpone treatment because deferring treatment can worsen the situation.
   Early detection is the key to getting cured. It dramatically improves the chances of recovery. A biopsy is a procedure that helps diagnose multiple types of cancer. For some types of cancers, however, a biopsy is not used. Experts are aware of these exceptions. For example, for the diagnosis of testicular cancer, a needle biopsy is usually not used. Alternatively, the prognosis post-detection is to remove the testicle completely. A biopsy helps identify the type of cancer, and the initial treatment is the base for all subsequent treatments. It is actually the most crucial step in recovering from this critical illness. Moreover, medicine is moving fast in this space, and new tests like the next-generation sequencing and certain others improve treatment methods but require biopsy samples.

5. Regular mobile phone usage can cause brain tumors.

   We don’t know this yet. There has been extensive research to establish a correlation and find the cause for the various types of cancers. But research has failed to establish the relationship between cell phones and brain tumors. Studies conducted by the Danish Cancer Society and the New England Journal of Medicine report no connection.

6. Cancer is hereditary, and you will not get it if no one in the family has it. 

   This is true to an extent. Cancer is hereditary. But a low percentage, about 5-10%, of cancers are genetically inherited. Mutation can occur in anybody. Mutation in the cancer-causing genes leads cancer to be passed on to the next generation. However, transmission from a parent to an offspring generally takes a lifetime of development within a parent’s body. Various habits, such as tobacco use, smoking, radiation exposure, or hazardous chemical exposure, cause mutations that can be transmitted to the next generation.

7. Chemo or radiotherapy kills the patient more than the disease.

   There is no denying that therapies, chemo or radio, are powerful and cause various side effects. But it is also true that these therapies give us a chance to survive, recover, and lead a healthy life later. With advancements in medical science, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, drugs, and other possible treatments are becoming tolerable. 

Cancer can affect both health and financial planning, making adequate insurance protection an important consideration. Cancer insurance may provide financial support for covered conditions, subject to the terms of the policy. Along with regular health insurance and preventive healthcare, understanding available insurance options can help individuals assess their financial protection needs and make informed decisions.