Busting Myths about Cancer
The ‘C’ (Cancer) word appears to be the most dreaded word in the medical world. The myths surrounding this disease are so many that very few people have a proper understanding of this disease and know the facts about cancer.
Common Myths about Cancer
Myth 1: Cancer is not curable
Truth: All cancers are curable if they are caught early enough. When not caught "early enough" they may still be curable, and almost certainly are treatable. Even advanced cancers that have spread to different parts of the body can be treated and may be able to extend a person's life until a more promising, therapy becomes available.
Myth 2: Cancer is contagious
Truth: Cancer by itself is NOT contagious. It cannot spread from person to person by touching, breathing the same air or by sharing meals or clothes.
However, a sexually transmitted disease HPV (Human papillomavirus) can increase the risk ofcervical, anal and some types of head and neck cancers, while the hepatitis B and C virus can increase the chances of liver cancer.
Myth 3: Men don’t get breast cancer
Truth: Even though breast cancer is most commonly seen in women, male breast cancer does occur. People do not realize that men have breast tissue and that they can develop breast cancer. It is most common in older men, though it can occur at any age.
Myth 4: Antiperspirants and deodorants cause cancer
Truth: According to most researchers and doctors there is no evidence linking the use of antiperspirants and deodorants to cancer. No clinical studies have yet given a definitive answer to the question of whether the aluminum compounds and parabens found in them causes breast cancer but the evidence to date suggests these products don't cause cancer.
Myth 5: Hair dyes cause cancer
Truth: Some studies had suggested that hair dyes used before 1980 could be linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer, but the unsafe chemicals have since been removed from the hair dyes. Today, there is limited and inconsistent evidence that hair dye can increase the risk of other cancers. Based on its review of the evidence, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has concluded that personal use of hair dyes is "not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans".
Know more about types of cancer in men, cancer in women and childhood cancer.
Shweta Uchil
DesiDieter Expert
