The Widespread Belief in INVENTED Causes of Cancer Is Concerning

Reports circulating among the public about invented cancer risk factors and carcinogensare increasing. The spread of cancer misconceptions and urban myths is a growing problem worldwide, not only in our country. A survey investigating recognition of real and false cancer causes in the British population was published on 25 April 2018 in European Journal of Cancer . Its findings are both surprising and concerning.

Drinking from plastic bottles or using microwave ovens are among invented or false cancer causes. Smoking, overweight and obesity and excessive solar UV exposure, however, are among the greatest preventable causes. In this survey of 1,330 people in England, most correctly knew that smoking causes cancer.

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Out of every 10 cancers, at least 4 can be prevented through lifestyle changes, and accurate information is needed to separate the wheat from the chaff in understanding the risks.

Research by investigators from University College London and the University of Leeds found that more than %40 of participants wrongly believed stress and food additives cause cancer.

One-third of participants believed electromagnetic waves from mobile phones (% 35) and genetically modified foods (GMOs) (% 34) were cancer risk factors. % 19 thought microwave-heated foods and %15 thought drinking from plastic bottles caused cancer, despite no scientific evidence — even though scientific evidence suggests otherwise.

Among respondents, % 88 identified smoking as carcinogenic, %80 said passive smoking and %60 said sunburn increased cancer risk. These are proven, accurate facts.

Belief in false cancer causes does not mean people have healthier lifestyles. Greater knowledge of proven causes, however, may help people avoid risky behavior such as smoking. It also encourages healthy habits such as eating more fruit and vegetables.

Being distracted by false causes is itself a risk factor that can prevent people from achieving healthy lives.

It is very concerning that so many believe unproven, false cancer risk factors. Compared with earlier research, the number believing unproven causes appears to be increasing. One reason is technologically expanding communication channels such as social media and websites.

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In Conclusion;

There is no guaranteed formula for avoiding cancer. However, recognizing the biggest risk factors allows risk to be minimized.

Stress, food additives and mobile phones are among the most common invented causes believed to cause cancer. One analysis found awareness of real and invented causes most prevalent among younger people and those of higher social status. Awareness of proven causes was associated with healthy habits such as avoiding tobacco and eating vegetables and fruit.

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Public awareness of proven and invented cancer causes is poor. Nevertheless, claims circulating among people are widespread as supposed cancer prevention knowledge.

In Summary:

• Half the British public does not know or accept that lifestyle is a cancer risk factor.
• Belief that stress, food additives and mobile phone electromagnetic waves cause cancer is very common.
• Sources of knowledge about actual cancer causes were associated with healthy lifestyle attitudes.

Related Topic:

• When Does a Carcinogenic Substance Cause Cancer?

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