Common Cancer Myths Debunked
Clickbait articles. Wild conspiracies. Misheard conversations. All of these things can lead to misinformation.
Misinformation can become incredibly dangerous. Not only does it cause fear, but it can influence decision-making. People have allowed lies to influence their healthcare and voting habits. Not only this, but it can create prejudices that can ruin lives.
A common subject shrouded in misrepresentation is cancer. There seems to be a new “study” every day claiming the detrimental effects of something on the human body. From foods to household objects, everyone has heard of an everyday item that supposedly creates cancer.
However, many of these claims are often unfounded and fake. Here are some common cancer myths debunked.
5G causes cancer
This is a claim that has circulated online since 5G’s invention. However, it’s a complete fabrication.
Scientific experiments have shown that 5G radiation causes cancer in rats, but it’s important to remember that rats are very different to humans. Plus, these rats were bathed in the radiation across their entire body, which is not the case for humans in everyday life. The size of mobile phones compared to our bodies is relatively small. You need to remember that technology is held to high health and safety standards and wouldn’t be approved if it caused danger to human life.
Sugar causes cancer to grow
PET scans use glucose as a radiation tracer during treatment. While it can be used to identify malignant cells, it won’t encourage its development. While it is true that cancer cells consume more glucose than normal cells, it’s untrue that this aids its growth in general.
However, while it’s clear sugar doesn’t cause cancer, it’s vital to highlight that sugar should be eaten in moderation. Although you don’t have to cut it out completely, a healthy diet is still recommended to avoid cancer risks.
Chemotherapy kills faster than it cures
It’s no secret that chemotherapy is tough on the body. This drug attacks cells rapidly dividing and growing – something malignant cells do. However, this also applies to other cells in the body, such as hair, bone marrow, and skin cells. This is why many people who undergo chemotherapy can lose their hair, experience tiredness and often bruise quite easily. Due to this, many theorise that cancer treatments actually cause more harm than good.
Debunking this myth is easy. All you have to do is look at the survival rate of cancer patients to understand why this isn’t accurate. While chemotherapy has harsh side effects, its ability to get patients into remission is undeniable. Plus, you must keep in mind that all medical treatments must be tested and approved.
The cure for cancer already exists
This is a popular conspiracy theory. With so many technological improvements and medical advancements, it’s easy to think the cure for cancer should have been discovered by now. Yet, this is an oversimplified view.
Firstly, there are over 200 types of cancer affecting every area of the body. Each cancer type is specific and complex, making a cure difficult to pin down. Also, if you’re one to believe in Big Pharma, hiding the cure for cancer doesn’t make financial sense. Trialling new drugs takes a lot of time and money. If you were to find the cure for cancer, this would be guaranteed income for the foreseeable future.
Cancer always comes back
This myth is particularly daunting for cancer patients recently in remission. How much can you celebrate before the cancer returns? When will the ticking time bomb go off again?
Cancer can indeed return to a patient after reaching remission, but this isn’t a guaranteed outcome. Different cancers affect the body differently, and each has its own chances of returning. If a tumour were to return, it would usually do so within the first two years after treatment. As the years increase, the less likely the cancer will return.
Debunked!
There are several misconceptions, conspiracies, and old wives' tales about cancer. It can be easy to get swept up in them, but it’s important to keep your feet planted firmly on the ground.
Remember, the only person you should take advice from is your doctor or oncology team. They’re professionals and have spent years studying the disease. If anyone knows best – it’s them!
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