A glance at some of the common myths on World Cancer Day

Feb. 4: Annually, February 4 is observed as World Cancer Day in order to raise awareness about cancer and reduce the stigma that surrounds the disease that is the second leading cause of deaths globally. This international day is a ‘global uniting initiative’ led by the Union of International Cancer Control (UICC) and is meant to encourage the prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer as early as possible.

The observance of World Cancer Day is centred around reducing the global impact that cancer has and in providing support for cancer patients and survivors through catalysing personal, collective and government action. World Cancer Day also targets misinformation and stigma about cancer. Tobacco use is linked to 71 percent of lung cancer deaths and accounts for atleast 22 percent of all cancer deaths.

Debunking some of the common myths:

• Cancer is a death sentence: This is a common myth. Cancer is not a death sentence. Atleast, one-third of the cancers are preventable. For 8 common cancers, including bladder, bowel, breast, ovarian and testicular cancers, survival is 3 times higher when diagnosed early, as per a study.
• Having sugar makes cancer worse: Though research has shown that cancer cells consume more sugar, but no studies found that eating sugar will make cancer worse. However, a high-sugar diet may contribute to obesity and is associated with an increased risk of developing cancer.
• Cancer is contagious: Cancer is not a contagious disease. It can only spread from one person to another in case of an organ or tissue transplantation.
• Biopsy or surgery makes cancer spread: The process of removing or testing a tumour will not cause cancer to grow. The chance that surgery will cause cancer to spread to other parts of the body is extremely low.
• Cancer is genetic: Cancer is caused by harmful changes in the gene. Only about 5-10% of cancers are caused by mutations that are inhertited from a person’s parents.
• Antiperspirants & deodorants cause breast cancer: Studies have found no evidence linking chemicals typically found in antiperspirants and deodorants with changes in breast tissue.