Ten Truths and Myths about the World’s Number One Killer

A recent survey shows a surprising number of Americans believe scientifically unproven claims concerning cancer. Don’t let yourself be a victim of misinformation. Test your knowledge with this quiz.

1. Sugar causes cancer tumors to grow faster.

False. Although all human cells, including cancer cells, use glucose (blood sugar) for energy, there is no evidence that sugar speeds up tumor growth. Likewise, removing sugar from your diet will not slow tumor growth, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

2. A person can “catch” cancer from another person.

False. No cancer is spread person to person through personal contact, but some cancers may be caused by viruses that are contagious. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease that increases the risk of cervical, anal, and some types of head and neck cancers. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses transmitted by infected intravenous needles and sexual activity can increase liver cancer risk.

3. Eating grilled or pan fried meat can cause cancer.

True. When meat is grilled or fried, chemicals called heterocyclic amines (HCAs), are created. These chemicals are found in higher quantities when meat is well done or burned and can increase a person’s cancer risk.

Experts at the National Cancer Institute recommend limiting the amount of grilled meat in your diet, and avoiding the burnt parts altogether. They also recommend marinating and precooking meats in a microwave before cooking by other methods. Keep in mind that many grilled foods are safe and good for you, including grilled vegetables and fruits.

4. Using deodorants or antiperspirants can increase your breast cancer risk.

Stories posted online claim deodorants or antiperspirants contain harmful chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin via nicks and cuts from shaving, therefore putting people who use them at higher risk for breast cancer. These stories are false, according to the National Cancer Institute and the Food and Drug Administration, whose investigations have found no link between the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants and the subsequent development of breast cancer.

5. Microwave ovens causes cancer.

Possibly. Microwave ovens, like other household electronics, such as televisions and electric blankets, emit electromagnetic fields (EMFs) just like power lines and transmitters. For more than a decade, several studies have been evaluating children’s and adults’ residential EMF exposure to determine what, if any, increased risk they pose in developing brain cancer, leukemias and lymphomas, or breast cancer.

Most of the findings have been inconclusive, although there is some limited evidence linking EMF exposure to childhood leukemia, and very small increases for breast cancer and leukemia in adults exposed to occupational EMFs. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences recommends increasing the space between EMF-emitting devices and yourself and always discouraging children from playing near power lines.

6. Having a positive attitude cures cancer.

The link between thinking positive and beating cancer has been hotly debated for many years. While anecdotally, some people claim positive thinking has cured their cancer, there is no scientific evidence to support it, so this one is False.

Having a positive attitude doesn’t give you an advantage during treatment or improve your chances of being cured, says Author Barbara Ehrenreich, who also holds a Ph.D. in cellular immunology. Popular culture asserts having a positive attitude boosts a person’s immune system allowing your body to better fight the cancer.

“Medically speaking your attitude has nothing to do with your own survival. The immune system is structured to fight microbes, and unfortunately, cancer is caused by our own cells gone amuck,” she says.

This may be a case of "it might not help but it doesn't hurt either". What a positive attitude can do is improve the quality of your life during cancer treatment and beyond, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Thinking positive could help you to stay active, maintain ties to family and friends, and continue social activities. In turn, this may enhance your feeling of well-being and help you find the mental and physical strength to deal with your cancer.

7. An injury, such as a bump or bruise, can’t cause cancer.

True. Researchers don’t understand all the causes of cancer, but it is clear an injury isn't one of them. However, bumps and excessive bruising can be symptoms of certain types of cancer, such as bone cancer, leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or multiple myeloma.

8. Women without a family history of breast cancer are safe from the disease.

False. Women who have no family history of breast cancer are still at risk. That’s because the biggest risk factor to getting breast cancer is having breasts. A personal family history of breast cancer ups the odds of getting the disease, but a person’s heredity only accounts for about 5 to 10 percent of new breast cancer diagnoses, according to the American Cancer Society. The vast number of new diagnoses are in women with no family history.

9. Lung cancer kills more women than breast cancer.

True. Lung cancer is the world’s leading cause of cancer-related death in women and men. Lung cancer kills more people each year than breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer, combined. Smoking is still the single largest cause of lung cancer (80-90 percent) however exposure to asbestos, radon gas and secondhand smoke and other environmental factors contribute to the 20 percent of lung cancers diagnosed in non-smokers each year.

10. Hair dyes have been shown to cause cancer.

True. Four small case-controlled studies have shown a link between personal hair dyes and certain cancer of the blood and bone marrow, such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and leukemia. However, too few studies have confirmed the results to be considered conclusive, and other international studies looking at a possible link between hair dye and breast cancer, bladder cancer and NHL sub-types have shown conflicting results.

Likewise, some high-profile studies have shown that professional hairdressers have an increased risk of bladder cancer that may be due to occupational exposure to hair dye, but it is still too early to know for sure if personal hair dye increases the risk for bladder cancer.

Lynette Summerill, an award-winning writer and scuba enthusiast lives in San Diego, CA with her husband and two canine kids. In addition to writing about cancer-related issues for EmpowHER, her work has been seen in newspapers and magazines around the world.

Sources:
American Society of Clinical Oncology. Cancer Myths. Accessed online 7 Nov. 2011 at:
http://www.cancer.net/patient/All+About+Cancer/Cancer.Net+Feature+Articles/Cancer+Basics/Cancer+Myths

National Cancer Institute. Chemicals in Meat Cooked at High Temperatures and Cancer Risk. Accessed online 7 Nov. 2011 http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/cooked-meats

National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet: Antiperspirants/Deodorants and Breast Cancer. Accessed online 7 Nov. 2011 at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/AP-Deo

National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet. Magnetic Field Exposure and Cancer: Questions and Answers. Accessed online 7 Nov. 2011 at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/magnetic-fields

Mayo Clinic. Cancer Treatment Myths. Accessed online 8 Nov. 2011 at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cancer/HO00033

American Cancer Society. Breast Cancer Risk Factors. Accessed 8 Nov. 2011 at: http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/DetailedGuide/breast-cancer-risk-factors

Lungcancer.org. Lung cancer 101: About lung cancer. Accessed online8 Nov. 2011 at: http://www.lungcancer.org/reading/about.php

National Cancer Insititute. Hair dyes and cancer risk. Accessed online 8 Nov. 2011 at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/hair-dyes

Reviewed November 8, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith

Add a Comment3 Comments

Add a Comment

Tags:

• Cancer
• Parenting
• Prevention Centers
• Sex & Relationships