10 Common Cancer Myths and the Facts

When searching online and on video channels, you encounter a great deal of content about cancer, cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment. For example, searching Google for “cancer treatment” returns 7 million 400 thousand results. The problem is that much of this information is incorrect and even dangerously misleading. Lies about cancer can spread faster, particularly through websites, and their number increases every day. What is concerning is that distinguishing false information from accurate information can often be difficult, because scientific fraudsters today also use scientific arguments.

In this article, we would like to share 10 cancer myths we regularly encounter, within the framework of scientific evidence:

• Claim 1: Cancer is a modern, human-made disease
• Claim 2: All you need to beat cancer is a positive attitude
• Claim 3: If we can send people to the Moon, we should have found a cure for cancer by now
• Claim 4: Cancer treatment is painful for everyone
• Claim 5: Cancer treatment is the same for everyone
• Claim 6: Everyone with cancer must receive treatment
• Claim 7: There is actually a miracle cure for cancer that is being concealed
• Claim 8: Homeopathy, cannabis oil and natural remedies can cure cancer
• Claim 9: We have made no progress in fighting cancer
• Claim 10: Regular check-up screening can detect every cancer

1- Cancer Is a Modern, Human-Made Disease

Although it may seem like a disease heard about increasingly often, cancer is not merely a “modern,” human-made disease of Western societies. Cancer has existed as long as humans have. Egyptian and Greek physicians described it thousands of years ago, and researchers have found signs of cancer in 3.000-year-old skeletons and dinosaur bones. It is true that lifestyle-related diseases are increasing globally, but the greatest risk factor for cancer is age. As we age, DNA damage normally occurs in cells, and this can cause cancer. Other factors, such as lifestyle, diet and air pollution, have a major effect on cancer risk.

• One of the oldest diseases: Cancer and Its Brief History

2- All You Need to Beat Cancer Is a Positive Attitude

There is no scientific evidence that a positive attitude can shrink tumors. A positive outlook can improve quality of life during and after cancer treatment. Improving quality of life is a benefit that cannot be overlooked. It helps you stay active, maintain relationships with family and friends and continue social activities. In turn, this can increase your sense of well-being and help you find the strength to cope with your cancer.

• Does a positive attitude affect survival in people with breast cancer?

3- If We Can Send People to the Moon, We Should Have Found a Cure for Cancer by Now

Cancer treatment is more complex than the engineering and physics knowledge required for space flight. Cancer actually encompasses a broad group of diseases. Each may have different causes depending on the individual. Therefore, there cannot be a single treatment or cure for cancer. Cancer cells may also continue changing during the course of the disease. This can cause them to stop responding to the chemotherapy medicines or radiation treatments initially given.

• DRUG RESISTANCE: The main factor making cancer treatment difficult

4- Cancer Treatment Causes Pain and Suffering for Everyone

Some cancers never cause pain. For people experiencing cancer pain, particularly those with advanced cancer, doctors have become better at managing this kind of pain. Even in the rare cases where all pain cannot be eliminated, it can be controlled so that it does not interfere with daily routines.

• How is cancer pain treated?

5- Everyone with the Same Cancer Type Receives the Same Treatment

Doctors tailor treatment to the individual. The treatment you receive varies depending on where your cancer is, how far it has spread and how it affects your bodily functions and overall health. Increasingly today, genetic tests guide cancer treatment. Genetic changes (such as mutations) can determine how your body responds to chemotherapy, molecular treatments (smart drugs) and immunotherapies in treatment.

6- Everyone with Cancer Must Receive Treatment

Whether you want to receive cancer treatment is primarily your choice. Naturally, most people will choose treatment if faced with cancer. However, a person with cancer may choose not to receive treatment in the following situations:

• A slow-growing cancer. Laboratory tests may show that the cancer is growing very slowly. These patients may wish to wait and monitor the cancer. If it suddenly starts growing faster, treatment can always be an option. For example, in early-stage, low-risk prostate cancer, active surveillance without treatment is also an option.
• Other medical conditions. If you have other serious illnesses, cancer may not be the greatest threat to your health, and you may not undergo cancer treatment.
• You may choose not to receive treatment for advanced cancer when the potential side effects and burden of treatment are expected to outweigh its benefits. However, this does not mean your doctor will not care for you; planning and providing palliative (supportive) treatments are also among the priorities of oncology.

7- There Is Actually a Miracle Cure for Cancer That Is Being Concealed

There is no miracle cure for cancer being concealed by pharmaceutical companies or doctors. From cannabis to coffee, countless articles and videos online and on television discuss “natural” or “miracle” cancer cures. However, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Online videos or social media posts are certainly not scientific evidence and cannot be equated with high-quality, peer-reviewed evidence. A single miracle cure for cancer is not credible; cancer treatments are possible only through modern medicine.

• The truth about 3 natural cancer cures - Vitamin B17, the alkaline diet and cannabis oil

8- We Have Made No Progress in Cancer Treatment

When you lose a loved one to cancer, it may feel as though no progress has been made. However, it is not true that cancer treatments have not progressed. Thanks to advances in research, over the past 40 years the proportion of people who undergo cancer treatment and continue their lives normally has doubled. In fact, approximately half of all cancers now survive for at least ten years. Patients diagnosed and treated today have an even higher chance of survival, and practices such as phytotherapy have no role in this success. We still have a long way to go. Cancer diagnosis and treatment methods continue to advance through new investigations and studies..

• Herbal treatment, phytotherapy: Sound science or big business?

9- Homeopathy, Cannabis Oil and Natural Remedies Can Cure Cancer

Many patients wonder whether there is a more “natural” option instead of modern medical treatments, particularly chemotherapy, and even try such options. Cannabis, homeopathy or herbal methods (phytotherapy), they believe, will eliminate cancer while protecting the patient from the potential side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This enormous lie deceives not only people with limited access to information and resources but also many confused people who have every opportunity available (for example, the story of Steve Jobs, one of Apple’s founders).

• Steve Jobs and thousands of lives are being sacrificed to alternative cancer treatments!

10- Regular Check-Up Screening Can Detect Every Cancer

Cancer is a highly complex disease with many types, and there is no certain way to always detect it early. However, for some of the most common cancer types (such as lung, breast, colon and cervical cancer), cancer screening tests are available.