The world talks about the problem of oncological diseases every day. Today, doctors know much more about cancer and its methods of treatment than even 10 years ago, but despite all the advances in science and the availability of information, the word “cancer” continues to scare.
Meanwhile, there is a huge amount of incorrect information, stereotypes and even superstitions about oncological diseases. We have collected the most common cancer myths and asked an expert to refute them.
candidate of medical sciences, medical director of the pharmaceutical company “Servier”
1. Cancer is incurable
In most cases, cancer is curable if it is diagnosed early. In some cases, complete surgical removal of the tumor is possible, even in the presence of metastases, that is, the spread of the tumor to other organs.
Some cancers, such as testicular cancer, are completely curable even in advanced stages with chemotherapy.
In recent years, mortality from cancer has generally been declining. Thus, the 5-year survival rate (that is, the proportion of patients who survived after 5 years from the moment of diagnosis) for prostate cancer, thyroid cancer or acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children exceeds 90%.
Even if a complete cure for a particular patient is impossible, modern therapy in some cases can provide years of life for patients in advanced stages of cancer.
2. Cancer can be contracted
In the animal kingdom, there are only three types of cancer that can be transmitted from individual to individual – in dogs, in the Tasmanian devil and in bivalve molluscs. Cases of human malignant tumor infection have not been described.
Certain viral and bacterial infections can damage DNA and are thus a risk factor for certain cancers.
For example, viral hepatitis B and C increase the risk of developing liver cancer, human papillomaviruses – a risk factor for cervical cancer, Helicobacter pylori infection – stomach cancer.
However, the presence of an infection does not necessarily lead to cancer, but only increases the risk of getting it. Thus, the one-year risk of developing liver cancer with hepatitis B in patients receiving antiviral therapy ranges from 0,01% to 1.4%.
Communication with a patient with cancer, hugging, shaking hands, kissing or sharing household items is completely safe and does not lead to any negative health consequences.
3. Everyday use of electronic devices (mobile phones, computers, microwave ovens) increases the risk of cancer
Most likely, this myth appeared due to a false analogy between ionizing radiation (for example, X-rays) and other types of radiation (for example, microwave radiation).
Indeed, the connection between exposure to ionizing radiation and the subsequent development of a number of malignant tumors is well shown – in Chernobyl and in those who survived the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Cancer appears as a result of DNA breakdowns and subsequent dysfunction of certain genes: cells acquire properties that are absent in the norm, for example, they begin to divide uncontrollably.
Radiation from mobile phones, computers and microwave ovens is unable to damage DNA and cause mutations that lead to malignant tumors. Currently, more than 8 billion people regularly use mobile phones. Numerous studies have not found a connection between the use of mobile phones (or other gadgets) and the occurrence of any disease, including cancer.
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4. Traditional medicine can beat cancer
One of the main goals of cancer treatment is to increase the patient’s life expectancy. Currently, there are no studies demonstrating the positive effect of traditional medicine on the life expectancy of patients with cancer. At the same time, scientists do not exclude the possibility that these drugs can reduce the severity of some symptoms, but they certainly do not cure or prolong life.
In addition, some herbal remedies (for example, St. John’s wort) can interact with anticancer drugs, reducing their effectiveness or leading to undesirable reactions. Therefore, patients with a malignant tumor must definitely inform their doctor about all drugs and dietary supplements they are taking.
5. Cancer is a problem exclusively of our time
Cancer was first described in ancient Egypt about 3600 years ago. The term “cancer” was proposed in ancient Greece by Hippocrates (Greek karkinos – “cancer” or “crab”) due to the pincer-like growth of the tumor into the surrounding tissues. In those days, autopsies were taboo, so Hippocrates described only superficial tumors available for study – for example, skin, mammary gland and nasal mucosa. Thus, cancer has been known since ancient times.
Why is there more hearing about cancer today than it was 100 or even 50 years ago? The main reason is the increase in life expectancy.
Malignant tumors are rarely seen in young people. In other words, age is one of the main risk factors for cancer. The longer a person lives, the greater the likelihood of mutations in DNA that can lead to the development of a tumor. Therefore, cancer is primarily a problem in developed countries, where there is a high life expectancy and where the risk of dying at a young age from other causes (from infections, injuries, etc.) is lower.
6. Cancer cannot be prevented
About 42% of cancer cases and 45% of deaths are due to modifiable risk factors – that is, those whose effects can be prevented. According to a 2014 study, cigarette smoking is by far the most significant contributor to cancer morbidity and mortality:
Smoking is responsible for 19% of all cancers and about 29% of all cancer deaths. In second place is overweight: it is responsible for 7,8% of cancer incidence and 6,5% of mortality. Alcohol use is associated with 5,6% of cancers and 4% of cancer deaths. On the 4th and 5th places are exposure to ultraviolet radiation and a sedentary lifestyle.
Thus, lifestyle changes can prevent nearly half of all cancers.
7. Cancer is inherited (if my parents have cancer, then I will too)
Malignant tumors develop due to certain changes (mutations) in the DNA. Hereditary mutations (i.e., passed from children to parents) rarely play a significant role in the onset of cancer: they account for no more than 5-10% of all cancers. The remaining 90-95% of all cases of malignant neoplasms are caused by so-called somatic mutations, that is, changes in the genome of individual cells accumulated as a result of aging and exposure to adverse environmental factors (which include, for example, smoking or exposure to ionizing radiation). Such mutations are not inherited.