Myth about cancer

Cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases affecting man. It is one major challenge whose treatment and medical solution has eluded experts and practitioners for many years now. Cancer easily leads the kind of diseases that are dreaded by most of us. It is essential that we slay all the myths and misconceptions that are associated with cancer. Here is our list of the top 10 wrong notions about cancer.

There is already a cure but medical science is still deferring its release
This is just one of those conspiracy theories that abound in our society today. This legend is all pure crap as this will definitely run counter to the Hippocratic Oath of medical practitioners and that is to save lives. Further, if there is indeed a cure for cancer, would it not be illogical for a pharmaceutical company to defer the release of a sure fire cash cow.

Cancer cases is on the rise
In its absolute terms, the statement is correct. However, we have to qualify this assumption by taking into account several variables that define the overall profile of modern society. It is essential that we look at the prevalence of cancer cases with the context of increasing population and life expectancy. Further, with the advent of modern technology, we are now witnessing the transfer and sharing of ideas and information. This leads to heightened awareness on the latest events and developments related to cancer.

Breast cancer only affects women
Not true. Both male and female can have breast cancer although the incidence is much higher in women while cases in male are stilled considered rare. It is estimated that 2000 American men are afflicted by breast cancer annually.

Surgery will lead to the spread of cancer in the other parts of the body
This is a medical myth and it is amazing that a lot still believes that such modality can do more harm than good for the cancer patient. This misconception may be traced back during those past times where medical practitioners could do no more than diagnose the disease and of which surgeries are entirely exploratory.

A positive attitude and outlook are the only things that you need to beat cancer
A positive attitude is indeed essential in the overall management of the disease. It is the reason why medical practitioners and staff maintain a pleasant and light demeanor when dealing with their cancer patients. However, it is just one element of the overall treatment approach.

Artificial sweeteners can trigger cancer
This is one myth about cancer which is obviously a product of intense marketing intramural in the corporate world. This notion was entirely based on a 1969 study where mice that were fed with cyclamate developed cancer. What was not mentioned about the study was that the mice in the experimental group were given doses of cyclamate which is equivalent to 800 cans of soda daily for an extended time period.

Large masses and lumps are cancerous
Some of these abnormal growths in our bodies are benign. However, it is important that one should undergo a thorough screening in order to ascertain if the lump of mass is cancerous, pre-cancerous or benign.

Cell phones can cause cancer
This is one of the raging controversies today although the general consensus is that there is no reason to believe that using cell phones predisposes one to have cancer.

There is no cure for cancer
This statement has to be properly qualified as we would have to go through some technicalities in order to come up with a valid answer. However, we can state that cancer is incurable but the patient suffering from cancer can be cured. It is patently false to tell someone that his cancer cannot be cured.

Cancers are all the same
This is the biggest misconception about the disease and is being complicated by the emergence of a slew of “cure all” fixes and remedies being offered in the market today. In reality, there are more than 100 types of cancer and they all have their peculiarities and differences. It is important to note that because of the divergent types of cancer, medical intervention in the management and treatment of these cancer types also varies.