Debunking Common Myths about Cancer on World Cancer Day - Dr Pushpak Chirmade

With changing times and technological advancements, the public perception of Cancer as an illness has evolved significantly but unlike the ever-changing perception of the disease, the myths and misinformation that are widely believed to be true, remain the same.

Misinformation spreads quickly, creating unnecessary fear and potentially harmful misconceptions that can impact how people approach prevention, detection, and treatment.

Given below are the most popularly believed cancer myths and the truth that is buried within them:

Q: Is cancer contagious?

A: It has been proved time and time again that cancer is not a communicable disease i.e. if someone around has cancer, chances are that you will not catch the disease yourself.

The only situation in which cancer can spread from one person to another is in the case of organ or tissue transplantation. However, that risk is extremely low—about two cases of cancer per 10,000 organ transplants.

Q: Does a patient’s attitude determines their diagnosis

A: When you’re diagnosed with cancer, it is perfectly normal to feel an array of emotions like despair, anger etc. but to date, there is no scientific evidence behind the claim that your attitude determines your recovery from it.

It is always encouraged to have a positive outlook on your condition and maintain social relations, as it may help you cope even when your attitude plays no direct role in your healing journey.

Q: All Cancer is terminal?

A: Perhaps the most commonly believed myth, patients and their loved ones always assume that a cancer diagnosis is terminal by default when in reality, a lot goes into determining the path the disease might take and subsequent recommended treatment.

Factors like type of cancer, family history, how aggressive the cancer growth is etc. are what help doctors understand your condition and personalise a treatment plan for you. Healthcare specialists all over the world emphasize healthy lifestyle choices and early detection as the key to increasing the chances of remission.

Q: Can naturopathy and herbal healing cure cancer?

A: While there has been evidence that shows that alternative therapy or complementary therapy can help patients cope with the side effects that come with cancer treatment, no herbal products have been shown to effectively cure cancer.

Patients should consult their doctors on any alternative medicinal products they may be using as sometimes these products may prove to be harmful by interfering in the patient’s cancer treatment.

Q: Does sugar feed cancer?

A: There has been a misconception that has been going around for decades that, sugar directly feeds into cancer cells, leading some patients to completely remove sugar from their diet, but the relationship between sugar and cancer is much more nuanced than that.

All cells, including cancerous cells, use glucose for energy, so stopping your sugar intake will not stop the growth of the cancer as the body will convert other nutrients into glucose if sugar is removed from the diet. Instead of putting a halt on your sugar intake, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is a much better alternative.

Conclusion

Misinformation can be both misleading and dangerous, so always make sure to trust reliable medical sources and consult doctors regularly to make medically sound and well-informed decisions.

Understanding cancer requires moving beyond myths and embracing scientific knowledge. Each person's cancer journey is unique, and while challenges exist, hope and advanced medical science continue to improve outcomes for millions of patients worldwide.

Knowledge is power. By dispelling myths and focusing on facts, we can approach cancer with understanding, hope, and proactive care.