CANCER MYTHS DEBUNKED

In today's so called 4g generation ‘Jo gol nahi hai', to every question however weird it may seem, internet is awashed with answers. But when it comes to healthcare the information is either outdated, not upto the mark or even worse misleading and far from authentic. When we talk about issues like cancer, which is one of the most dreaded word, it's important to break myths which are rooted in old theories and communication is the most important aspect to remove the cancer related stigma.
 So below are most prevalent 8 myths about cancer busted:

1. Cancer- a death sentence

Truth: Death is inevitable- don't we all know that? But hey! Cancer=death is not necessary. Today, medical science has come a long way and so has treatment of cancer. It definitely depends upon individual patient's lifestyle and other factors like stage and type of cancer but quality of life of cancer patients has improved.

2. Having sugar will worsen your cancer

Truth: Ok, let us get that straight, there is no scientific evidence that if you have cancer, eating sugar is going to harm you in anyway. Of Course, you are what you eat and it does affect your cancer risk but, eliminating all types of sugar(including natural sugars in fruits) will harm normal cells because they too require glucose to function and no, your not eating sugar will not shrink or affect your tumor anyway. So no need to ditch that sweet tooth yet! But having said above, one should reduce sugar in the diet.

3. Cancer is contagious

Truth: No! It's NOT contagious. You can't “catch” cancer from someone suffering from it by any sort of physical contact with them or breathing in the same air or sharing meals with them, except in rare cases of organ transplant wherein the donor has a history of cancer.

4. Cancer is hereditary

Truth: Research says only 5-10% of cancers can be inherited so it's not necessary if you have a family history of cancer you will suffer from it too and also it does not mean if you do not have a family history of cancer you will not suffer from it.

5. Only females suffer from breast cancer

Truth: Albeit, women are more likely to suffer from breast cancer that does not mean men can't suffer from it. Males too have breast tissue and they also suffer from breast cancer but breasts in males are not developed due to different hormones in males and females so chances are less.

6. Use of antiperspirants/deodorants causes breast cancer

Truth: According to scientific studies so far, no relation has been found between use of antiperspirants/deo and changes in cells of breast.

7. All cancers are same/cancer patients receive same kind of treatments

Truth: FALSE! There are over 100 types of cancer discovered and even if the cancer is of same type the treatments are tailored specifically for each patients depending upon location, stage and genes of individual patients. We all are different, right?

8. Cancer is extremely painful

Truth: Now that may sound true but no, not all people with cancer experience pain. It may be a side effect or symptom of cancer but it can be treated with certain medications and now a days there is a special type of care unit known as the palliative care which relieves side effects and symptoms of cancer.
So! Cancer does not necessarily have to be painful.

9. Cancer causes hair loss.

                                               

Truth: Cancer  does not causes hair loss but its treatment does . Yes, you heard it right. Chemo drugs are powerful medicines which kills rapidly growing cells which are present in our body. 
                                            

Unfortunately, they cannot differentiate between the good cells and the bad cells so in this process they end up killing the good cells too which includes the one which are responsible for our hair growth. 

These were some of the most common myths about cancer but there are many more myths which need to be taken care of!

 What to do?

First, and the foremost stop consulting Dr Google because Hey! Half knowledge is even dangerous than ignorance. There are many websites which lack credential information and are misleading. So it's better to take help from healthcare specialists and authentic sources. Lastly, stay positive and smile often!

Thanks for reading and please keep visiting our blog to discover and appreciate more Yoddhas. 
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Author- Arundhati Sitoke