For most people, a diagnosis of cancer is akin to a death sentence and the many myths, not based on scientific evidence, surrounding possible cures and treatments just exacerbates their fear and anxiety. Here’s the truth about some of these misconceptions.
Big C
Every year approximately 100 thousand South Africans and 14 million people worldwide learn that they have cancer. “So many South Africans have preconceived ideas of what cancer is and whom it affects, and we want to change that. It’s very important for the public to know the truth about the disease”, says CANSA CEO, Sue Janse van Rensburg, a cancer survivor of almost 30 years.
Cancer myths debunked
1. Cancer is a death sentence
Not necessarily say the medical experts. Although cancer is a serious condition and many people with advanced cancer do die, many more survive. According to CANSA more than 40% of adult cancer patients and 60% of childhood cancer patients have been successfully treated in South Africa.
2. Cancer treatment is worse than the disease; it kills more than it cures
Where possible, surgery is still the most effective treatment for cancer when diagnosed early enough but it is often supplemented by chemotherapy and pinpoint radiation therapy. Unfortunately the latter two treatment options may cause unpleasant and sometimes serious side-effects. Although unpleasant, these treatment options have helped double cancer survival figures.
3. A needle biopsy and surgery can cause cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body
Doctors take great care and use special methods to prevent the spread of malignant cells during surgery and needle biopsies.
4. Pharmaceutical companies and the medical establishment are withholding information about a cheap cure
It makes no sense that pharmaceutical companies would want to suppress a potential cure. The late Patrick Swayze, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2009, summed it up perfectly: “If anybody had that cure out there like so many people swear to me they do, you’d be two things: you’d be very rich, and you’d be very famous.”
5. Cancer is always painful
Some cancers never cause pain and doctors have many options to help manage and control pain in those who do.
6. There are no signs or symptoms of cancer
There are definite warning signs and symptoms of specific cancers. Routine screening has been linked to a decrease in deaths from cancers of the cervix, breast, colon and rectum.
7. Undergoing cancer treatment means you can’t live at home, work or go about your usual activities
Although cancer treatment is no walk in the park, most people with cancer are treated on an outpatient basis and are able to stay active and even go back to work during treatment.
8. You can’t prevent cancer
Absolutely wrong! At least 30 to 40% of cancers are preventable. Most cancers (95%) are caused by the natural results of aging and lifetime exposure to environmental factors, such as tobacco smoke (30% of all cancers), viruses (20%), dangerous chemicals (15%), obesity (15%), alcohol abuse (5%), sun exposure (5%) and genetics (10%). Apart from genetics, you can reduce potential cancer risks by avoiding the abovementioned, making smart lifestyle choices and by getting vaccinated against cancer-causing viruses such as Hepatitis B, and the human papilloma virus (HPV).
9. If someone in my family has cancer I will also get it
Not necessarily; it depends on what caused the cancer, as mentioned above. Only about 5 to 10% of cancers are caused by harmful mutations that are inherited from parents. American actress, Angelina Jolie, for example, was much in the news after undergoing a double mastectomy as a preventative measure against dying from breast cancer as her mother did.
10. Everyone who has cancer has to have treatment
Nobody can force you to have treatment − the choice is yours and should be made in consultation with your doctor.
Help is at hand
CANSA offers cancer screening and has various active support groups that connect sufferers, survivors and their loved ones with others who have “been there” for insight, moral support, understanding, hope and inspiration. Call CANSA toll-free on 0800 22 66 22, visit the website at www.cansa.org.za.
Sources
Childs, O. 2014. Don’t believe the hype: 10 persistent cancer myths debunked. Retrieved from: http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2014/03/24/dont-believe-the-hype-10-persistent-cancer-myths-debunked/
Common cancer myths and misconceptions. 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/myths
Get the truth about cancer: World Cancer Day (4 Feb). Retrieved from: http://www.cansa.org.za/get-the-truth-about-cancer-world-cancer-day-4-feb/
Know the facts re cancer myths. Retrieved from: http://www.cansa.org.za/know-the-facts-re-cancer-myths/
Myths and facts about cancer. 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.cancer.net/sites/cancer.net/files/myths_and_facts_about_cancer_fact_sheet.pdf