Myth: Cancer is contagious

One common misconception is the idea that you can get cancer from another person. In fact, transmission of cancer from person to person is only possible through organ transplantation or blood transfusion from a donor with cancer. The probability of this is extremely low – only about 0.02%.

Myth: After radiation therapy a person becomes radioactive

The myth that radiation therapy makes a patient radioactive is false. Radiation therapy does not make the patient radioactive because the radiation is not retained in the body’s tissues. A person undergoing radiation therapy is safe for others and does not need to take additional precautions.

Myth: Cancer is a death sentence

Although cancer is a serious disease, early detection and timely treatment can significantly increase the chances of recovery. The five-year survival rate after a cancer diagnosis is more than 67%, and for some types of cancer the chances of survival are even higher.

Myth: It is possible to cure cancer with alternative methods

There are many alternative cancer treatments, but none of them are scientifically proven to provide a complete cure. Although some alternative medicine such as yoga, aromatherapy and massage can help patients cope with stress and improve quality of life, they cannot replace traditional medical treatment.

Myth: Smartphones and power lines create harmful radiation

Scientific studies have shown that radiation from smartphones and power lines does not affect the risk of cancer. These statements have no scientific basis.

Myth: The patient’s condition worsens after surgery

Despite the painfulness of the procedure, surgery not only does not worsen the patient’s condition, but is also a necessary step in cancer treatment. Refusal to undergo surgery may lead to worsening of the condition and progression of the disease.

Myth: The side effects of treatment are worse than the disease

Cancer treatment may have side effects, but the chance of saving your life is much higher than the risk of possible side effects. Modern medicine offers many ways to minimize these effects and improve the quality of life of patients.

Medical science is constantly evolving, and new methods for diagnosing and treating cancer appear every year. We hope that in the future this will help make cancer treatment more effective and accessible to everyone.

Myth 1: Wearing an underwire bra increases your risk of breast cancer

Reality: Neither the material nor the shape of underwear, including underwire options, is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Scientific studies have not found any direct connection between these factors.

Myth 2: Finding lumps in the breast necessarily indicates breast cancer

Reality: Breast lumps can have a variety of causes, including benign lesions, and are not necessarily cancer-related. For an accurate diagnosis, additional examinations are necessary. Visit a doctor, get a breast ultrasound or mammogram for prevention.

It is recommended to do an ultrasound every year until the age of 35-40, after 35-40 – mammography every 2 years, after 50 years – annual mammography.

Myth 3: Plastic surgery increases the risk of developing breast cancer

Reality: Getting implants does not increase your chance of developing breast cancer, but it may make it harder for mammograms to detect tumors. It is important to carry out diagnostic procedures correctly and warn the doctor about the presence of implants.

Myth 4: Breast size affects the risk of developing breast cancer

Reality: Breast size is not a determining factor in the risk of developing breast cancer. The size and likelihood of cancer are absolutely unrelated. However, women with large breasts may be more difficult to test, meaning that if a tumor occurs, it may be noticed later.

Myth 5: Hormonal treatments for infertility (such as IVF) increase the risk of breast cancer

Reality: Scientific studies have not confirmed a direct link between hormonal medications used to treat infertility and the development of breast cancer.

Myth 6: Breast cancer is an exclusively female disease

Reality: Every year, breast cancer is diagnosed in men, and the mortality rate from this disease is higher among them, which is associated with late seeking medical help, because it does not even occur to men that such cancer is possible. It is important to highlight this aspect for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.

Myth: Cancer is an incurable disease?

There has now been significant progress in cancer treatment, and complete cure is becoming a reality for many patients. Although there are several factors that influence the success of treatment, including the type and stage of cancer, the age and general condition of the patient, and the timeliness of diagnosis, modern therapies such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, immunotherapy and molecularly targeted drugs, significantly improve the prognosis and likelihood of full recovery.

It is important to note that each case of cancer is unique, and treatment results may vary depending on many factors. Despite this, the myth that cancer is incurable is not true.

Myth: Cancer is an accident

Although cancer can in some cases be caused by random genetic mutations, in most cases lifestyle choices have a significant impact on the risk of the disease. Inherited genetic changes may be the cause of cancer in approximately 10% of cases, and in some types of breast cancer this percentage is as high as 20%.

For example, mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can significantly increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. However, many cancer risk factors can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, which helps minimize the likelihood of developing the disease.

Myth: Cancer is contagious

Although cancers are not spread from person to person, there are viruses such as hepatitis C and human papillomavirus (HPV) that can increase the risk of developing cancer.

Hepatitis C can be transmitted through the blood of an infected person, which can happen through the use of manicure or dental tools, or through injection needles. Untreated hepatitis C (and its treatment is very expensive) leads to liver cirrhosis and cancer. There is no vaccine against this hepatitis, but a sure way to protect yourself is to avoid using reusable needles (and using drugs that require needles to inject), manicure products, and dental appliances.

The HPV virus, in turn, can be transmitted during sexual contact. HPV can be oncogenic or not, that is, dangerous or non-dangerous, and practically does not show any symptoms, so many people do not know about its existence in the body for years. If left untreated for a long time, it can develop into cancer, so it is important to get Pap test (Papanikolaou test) every year (it is included in the compulsory medical insurance and is included in the list of standard gynecological tests).

Vaccinations are an effective method of protecting against oncogenic types of HPV, which contribute to the development of cervical cancer. Children and adolescents should be vaccinated before they become sexually active. In Russia, about 20 thousand cases of cervical cancer are detected annually.

Myth: The mind and body are not connected

Psychosomatics, a branch of clinical psychology, studies the relationship between mental and somatic, or bodily, conditions and diseases. Currently, experts have no doubt that there is a connection between the psyche and the body, and they cannot be considered separately from each other.

The disease can be caused by three factors: biological (genetics, infections, injuries), psychological (stress, depression) and social (bad habits, environmental conditions).

All these factors are closely intertwined, and it is difficult to determine exactly when the disease was influenced by stress and when by genetic predisposition. In addition, these factors can only increase the likelihood of developing health problems, worsen symptoms, or complicate the course of the disease.

Myth: Awareness of emotions or processing of trauma can completely heal physical illnesses and prevent their occurrence

This myth is based on the illusion of complete control over one’s own health. Psychological conditions affect physical well-being, but are not the sole cause of disease. Psychotherapy and self-help can help relieve physical symptoms, but this only applies when a psychological condition is the underlying cause of the symptoms. A disease that has a significant physical component cannot be cured by simple awareness and forgiveness. Despite efforts and a positive attitude, the disease will not disappear.

Becoming aware of your emotions and working through internal conflicts can help reduce your likelihood of becoming chronically stressed and improve your mental well-being. However, mindfulness cannot prevent genetically determined diseases or the aging process of the body.

Myth: Somatic diseases always have mental causes. Cancer comes from repressed resentment, sore throat from unspoken words

According to this myth, negative experiences can lead to various diseases. However, there are no clear scientific studies confirming the connection of specific emotions with specific diseases. Each person’s experiences are so unique that they cannot be used for statistical analyses.

Myth: Health and illness are self-hypnosis

Although using self-hypnosis and leading a healthy lifestyle is important, it does not protect against aging or death. Blaming yourself or others for illnesses only makes the condition worse.

Myth: Psychosomatic illnesses do not exist

Psychosomatic illnesses do exist and have a significant impact on people’s lives. These diseases are not fiction or simulation and should be taken seriously. If a person has been suffering from the syndrome for a long time, doctors of traditional medicine shrug their shoulders and medications do not help – this is a reason to turn to a specialist who deals with psychosomatics. History knows many cases when working with the psyche helped get rid of a physical symptom.

Myth: Some foods prevent cancer

It is known that excessive consumption of red meat can increase the risk of colorectal cancer. However, there is no reliable evidence to support the protective effects of certain foods, such as broccoli, garlic, and others.

There is no diet that is guaranteed to prevent cancer. However, research suggests that a Mediterranean diet may be more beneficial in preventing cancer.

The Mediterranean diet includes daily consumption of vegetables, fruits and vegetable oils. It is recommended to consume fish and seafood at least twice a week. It is recommended to include poultry, eggs, cheese and yogurt in your diet several times a week. Consumption of red meat and sweets should be limited.

Myth: Physical activity prevents cancer

It is recommended to spend at least three hours a week doing cardio activities such as running, swimming and cycling, as long as you maintain an average heart rate of more than 120 beats per minute.

Cardio exercise is not only beneficial for cancer prevention, but can also help during treatment by improving treatment tolerance. It is important not to remain inactive after a cancer diagnosis. Physical activity only contributes to overall health improvement.

Myth: Stress causes cancer

Stress is often assigned the role of a villain, even declaring it a source of cancer – this is often done by amateur coaches and pseudo-psychologists.

In fact, stress affects the body as a whole, causing hormonal changes and weakening the immune system. These changes may, among other factors, contribute to the development of cancer. However, it cannot be said that stress always leads to cancer. It only creates an unfavorable background for the body.

Myth: Pregnancy and lactation reduce the risk of cancer

Pregnancy can have both positive and negative effects on your risk of cancer. It’s important to consider age at first pregnancy: if it happens later in life, it slightly increases your risk, including your risk of breast cancer.

This is because mutations accumulate with age, increasing the likelihood of developing cancer. Late pregnancy can add stress to the body, increasing this risk.

Pregnancy for the first time at a young age will probably not reduce the risk of brain or liver cancer, but it will likely reduce the likelihood of developing estrogen-dependent cancers. During pregnancy, the body produces less estrogen than usual.

If breastfeeding and the absence of a menstrual cycle, this condition persists, further reducing the risk. Multiple pregnancies with periods of lactation may provide additional protection against future cancer.

Myth: Being overweight increases your risk of cancer

Excess weight is a risk factor for the development of malignant tumors due to its overall effects on the body. It creates a significant burden, complicating many physiological processes.

It is more difficult for the liver to process toxins if it contains excess fat, and for the heart to pump blood. Physical activity also becomes more difficult. That is why doctors recommend weight loss as a cancer prevention and a means of improving the prognosis if a diagnosis has already been made.

Moreover, some types of cancer are hormone dependent. For example, breast cancer is often hormone dependent. Tumor cells of this type of cancer contain receptors for female sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.

Hormones stimulate tumor cell division. If you are overweight, additional estrogen can accumulate in adipose tissue.

At least 13 types of cancer are associated with excess weight, including meningioma, thyroid, stomach, kidney, ovarian, uterine and others.

Myth: The healthiest meat is chicken

This assertion is not without foundation. White meat chicken or, say, turkey may actually be healthier than red meat such as pork, beef or lamb.

One hypothesis links eating large amounts of red meat to a possible risk of colon cancer because mammalian muscle tissue contains a lot of red respiratory protein known as myoglobin. These chemical compounds can contribute to the development of cancer processes.

Poultry contains less myoglobin, which makes it less red, and therefore produces fewer potentially harmful nitrogen compounds in the body of people who eat it.

When it comes to boiled or stewed meat, chicken may be a better option than red meat such as beef or pork due to its generally lower fat content.

However, if you choose only lean red meat, such as beef or pork tenderloin, it will be as healthy as chicken or turkey.

Myth: Red meat causes cancer, diabetes and heart disease

This statement has some basis. Mammalian meat may indeed increase the risk of developing chronic diseases, but this mainly applies to fatty meats or highly processed foods.

People who eat less saturated fat tend to have lower rates of heart disease.

The danger lies not so much in the red meat itself, but in its highly processed products, such as bacon, sausages and smoked meats, which are more harmful than boiled or stewed meat. This also applies to other processed foods such as chips, nuggets, cheese sticks and cookies.

Such foods often contain large amounts of salt, which can lead to water retention in the body and increased blood pressure. Excessive salt intake increases the risk of heart attack or stroke.
In your daily diet, it is advisable to replace fried meat with boiled or stewed meat, and also consume less processed foods such as boiled potatoes, cheese, cottage cheese, milk, whole grain bread, vegetables and fruits.

Myth: People can’t live without meat

Although meat is a source of protein, iron and vitamin B12, there are other foods that can meet your needs for these nutrients.

Protein. 100 grams of lean pork contains about 26 grams of protein, which is about half the daily value. However, 100 g of cooked soybeans contains 18 g of protein, containing all the essential amino acids.

Iron. Red meat is rich in iron: 100 g of lean pork contains about 1.15 mg of iron. While 100 g of baked beans contains even more – 1.4 mg.

Iron is also present in other foods such as legumes, dried fruits, whole grain porridge and bread. Although the absorption of iron from plant sources is less efficient, vegetarians can still get enough of this element.

Vitamin B12. This vitamin is found not only in meat, but also in dairy products. Strict vegans are recommended to take 250 mcg of vitamin B12 per day.

According to some studies, vegetarians may live longer because they tend to live healthier lives: they move more, smoke and drink less.

Myth: The main threat from smoking is nicotine

There are currently about 1 billion people in the world who smoke traditional cigarettes, and there are also 42 million users of vapes and smokeless tobacco.

According to experts, the main danger for smokers is the 6,000 harmful substances in cigarette smoke, of which 69 can cause cancer. Nicotine, although addictive and has its own harmful properties, is not a great invention.

Smoke-free products contain 95% fewer harmful substances than regular cigarettes and help people avoid smoking. Scientific studies have shown that 17% of subjects were able to completely get rid of nicotinic acid, and another 17% switched to smoke-free products, which is higher than when using nicotine patches and chewing gum.

The number of traditional Japanese cigarette smokers has fallen by 43% by 2021, thanks to various legal measures regulating e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes, as well as awareness campaigns aimed at countering the advantage of smokeless products over regular cigarettes.

Myth: Alternative nicotine delivery methods are less harmful than cigarettes

If a person is addicted to nicotine, quitting smoking can be very difficult. Many people try to replace cigarettes with alternative products, but this is not always safer.

• Tobacco Warmers: This is a device in which the displays are paper sticks saturated with tobacco impregnated with glycerin. The aerosol contained in the heaters is less irritating to the lungs than smoke, allowing people to take more puffs per stick than per cigarette. However, there is limited research on their effects, so heaters should be treated with caution, just like regular, albeit safe, cigarettes.
• Vaping: Vaping vaporizes liquid containing propylene glycol, glycerin, flavorings and thickeners. Your respiratory system may improve when you completely switch to vaping, but the nicotine from vaping is also addictive, negatively impacts brain health, and increases stress on the heart. Switching from cigarettes to vapes can be useful for those who are not ready to completely quit smoking.
• Hookahs: Studies have proven that hookah smoke contains much more harmful substances than tobacco smoke, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and light cancer.
• Herbal cigarettes: Although they may seem safe, they also cause burns and can be harmful to your health, especially if used instead of a regular cigarette.
• Nicotine patches and gum: These products are discreet and effective smoking medications and provide nicotine without inhaling smoke or aerosol.

It is important to remember that any alternative method of nicotine delivery is not entirely risky, and the decision to choose such a method should be made after consultation with a specialist.