There is a vast amount of information about cancer available to the general public. However, it's important for people not to make assumptions that everything said or written about cancer is true. There are many claims about cancer that are false. It is important to find out whether claims about cancer are myths or facts by asking your doctor or going to credible medical sources to research the claim. The following are common cancer myths:
General cancer myths
As the population increases, so does the number of people dying of cancer.
This is not true. Actually, while the total number of people diagnosed with cancer is increasing, the number of people dying from cancer has been steadily decreasing. More people with cancer are now living longer lives with a better quality of life, due to early diagnosis, lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking and better treatment options.
Cancer is always painful.
This is not always true. In fact, cancers are often not painful in the early stages. Some cancers never cause pain, while many advanced cancers do. Cancer pain can be caused by a number of reasons. For example, the tumor may be pressing a nerve or invading a bone and causing a weakening or fracture of the bone. There are many treatments available to manage cancer pain. For more information, read the articles Managing Side Effects: Pain and Cancer.Net Feature: Cancer Pain.
If you develop cancer, you will probably die.
Cancer is not a death sentence. There are many effective treatments against cancer. In fact, more than 60% of people with cancer are alive five years or more after the initial diagnosis. For more information on statistics, please read Learning About Cancer, Statistics.
Myths about developing cancer
Cancer is contagious.
No cancer is contagious. However, there are two known contagious viruses that may play a role in cancer of the cervix and liver. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease that can increase the risk of cervical cancer. Hepatitis C, a virus transmitted through the use of infected intravenous needles and sexual activity, can increase the chance of liver cancer.
If a parent has cancer, then his or her child will develop cancer.
Having a family history of cancer doesn't necessarily mean that a person will definitely develop cancer. For some tumors, notably breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancers, about 5% to 10% of cases occur in a family where the tumor is passed down from one generation to another. If a parent has one of these cancers, the cancer gene may be passed to his or her child, which raises the likelihood of the offspring developing cancer. For more information on cancer genetics, please read Cancer Genetics.
Cell phones, hair dyes, antiperspirants, and deodorants can cause cancer.
All of these claims are false. To date, there is no scientific evidence to support that these items increase the risk of developing cancer.
Myths about coping with cancer
It's sometimes better for someone to not know he or she has cancer.
It's important not to ignore the symptoms or signs of cancer, such as a breast lump. The knowledge of having cancer gives a person power to make choices and seek the best possible treatment. Usually, the earlier the cancer is diagnosed, the more effective the treatment and the greater the chance of surviving the disease.
Positive thinking will cure cancer.
There is no scientific evidence to date that a positive attitude cures cancer. Placing such importance on attitude can be difficult for people who blame themselves for not being positive and are disappointed when their positive attitude isn’t improving their health. What a positive attitude can do is improve the quality of life during cancer treatment.
Myths about cancer treatments
The medical establishment is hiding a cure for cancer.
The cancer community is not withholding a miracle treatment for cancer. In fact, those who work in the field develop cancer at the same rate as everyone else in the United States. They are as eager as anyone else for new and better cancer treatments to become available. In addition, there is no one single cure for cancer. There are more than 100 types of cancer that respond differently to various methods of treatment depending on the type of cancer, so there is no hidden, magic cure for all cancers.
Cancer surgery causes tumors to spread.
Surgery is an effective type of cancer treatment. And although it's possible that the medical team may find the cancer more widespread than previously thought, the operation does not cause a tumor to spread. For more information on cancer treatment, please read Types of Treatment.
Some people may be too old for cancer treatment.
There is no age limitation for the treatment of cancer. All cancer treatment involves side effects, and people with cancer should receive the treatment that is best suited to their condition. In some cases, older adults may have other illnesses that limit the use of treatments that are useful in younger patients. Older adults with cancer are encouraged to talk with their doctor about the best approach to their disease. For more information, please read Cancer in the Older Population, Cancer Treatment.
Myths about living with cancer
Having cancer means life will drastically change.
Most people living with cancer are treated on an outpatient basis in their home community and can continue with some or all of their day-to-day activities. For example, many people can work part-time or full-time, care for children, and attend social activities, despite undergoing cancer treatment.
Sugar causes cancer to grow faster.
This is not true. Although all cells, including cancer cells, use glucose (blood sugar) for energy, sugar doesn't speed the growth of tumors. In turn, removing sugar from a person's diet doesn't slow cancer growth either.
People with cancer always lose their insurance coverage.
Research shows that a large majority of people living with cancer keep their insurance coverage and don't experience unfair actions by employers and insurance companies. For more information on insurance coverage, please read Financial Support Resources.
Additional resources
MayoClinic.com: Debunking cancer myths: An interview with a Mayo Clinic specialist
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute: Dispelling Cancer Myths
American Cancer Society (ACS): Many Still Buy Into Common Cancer Myths
Last Updated: September 26, 2005
