One of the biggest fears that a person may have is being diagnosed with cancer. Aside from taking necessary preventive measures such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, one of the ways to battle cancer is to be educated about it, because the best way to fight something is to know what you’re up against.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding the disease that cause unnecessary dread among many. It’s about time these myths get debunked and here are five common wrong notions about cancer that we will clear out for you today.
1. “I am diagnosed with cancer, and I will die because of it.”
Not all cancer cases lead to death. Although it’s a disease that can lead to a person’s passing, that doesn’t mean that it’s the same fate for every cancer patient. In fact, there are thousands of success stories of individuals who overcame the disease.
Cancer mortality rates have declined over the years, thanks to research and innovations that paved way for the development of different treatments that help battle cancer.
2. “A family member has cancer, therefore I will get it too.”
Not necessarily. Only five to ten percent of cancer cases are hereditary or inherited. At the same time, it also doesn’t mean that a person’s risk is lower if there’s no history of cancer in his or her family.
The majority of cancer cases are caused by genetic changes that the body goes through. Typically, natural aging, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices influence these changes.
3. “I should stay away from people with cancer, so that I will not get infected.”
Cancer is not contagious, and you will not get it simply by interacting with someone who has it. There’s no need to quarantine or isolate individuals who have this condition, because cancer doesn’t spread and develop the same way as most viruses. In fact, patients can continually thrive and lead normal lives; especially those who can do so while undergoing treatment.
However, cancer can spread to another person through organ or tissue transplants, but the risk of acquiring it through the procedure is extremely low. Medical professionals always see to it that they don’t use organs or tissues from donors with cancer history.
Virus that can cause cancers, such as HPV and Hepatitis B and C, is contagious and can be passed on, but not the cancer that may result from them.
4. “Microwaving plastic containers emit substances to my food that can cause cancer.”
Don’t ditch your microwave oven just yet. Plastic containers designed for microwave use can withstand the heat emitted in the oven and will not easily be damaged from it.
Always use containers that are marked “microwave-safe”, because if they’re not, they will most likely melt and that’s when harmful substances can come in contact with your food.
5. “I can get cancer from artificial sweeteners.”
Cutting down on sugar doesn’t have to be so hard after all. Yes, you can use artificial sweeteners without the fear of getting cancer. There’s no scientific evidence proving that artificial sweeteners can cause the disease. Artificial sweeteners have FDA approval except for cyclamate.
Cancer is a tough condition, but sometimes, what make it more difficult to deal with are the wrong notions commonly believed about the disease. So keep these five cancer truths in mind, so that you have a clearer picture of what it is and how to help others who are experiencing it.
