Aug. 26, 2021 | There are a number of myths and misconceptions about cancer that have contributed to suffering and even deaths that could have been prevented. Many of them are based on old theories about how the disease starts and spreads. Some of them may seem somewhat innocent, but any wrong idea about cancer that causes needless worry or pain is harmful. Many of these myths revolve around surgery or procedures related to cancer. The chance that surgery will cause cancer to spread to other parts of the body is extremely low. Following standard procedures, surgeons use special methods and take many steps to prevent cancer cells from spreading during biopsies or surgery to remove tumors. For example, if they must remove tissue from more than one area of the body, they use different surgical tools for each area. And no, exposure to air will not make tumors grow faster or cause any kind of cancer to spread to other parts of the body.

Aug. 26, 2021 | Cancer is not contagious, meaning that it can’t be passed from one person to another. The only situation in which cancer can spread from one person to another is in the case of organ or tissue transplantation. A person who receives an organ or tissue from a donor who had cancer in the past may be at an increased risk of developing a transplant-related cancer in the future. However, that risk is extremely low, only about two cases of cancer per 10,000 organ transplants occur on average. Doctors avoid the use of organs or tissue from donors who have a history of cancer. However, some cancers are caused by viruses and bacteria that can be spread from person to person. Certain types of the human papillomavirus, or HPV, have been known to cause cervical, anal and some kinds of head and neck cancers. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are viruses that increase the risk of developing liver cancer. And bacteria like H. pylori can cause stomach cancer.

Aug. 26, 2021 | Many of the myths about cancer concern potential causes or cures for the disease. For example, power lines do NOT cause cancer. Power lines emit both electric and magnetic energy. The electric energy emitted by power lines is easily shielded or weakened by walls and other objects. The magnetic energy emitted by power lines is a low-frequency form of radiation that does not damage genes. Although some studies suggest that alternative or complementary therapies, including some herbs, may help patients cope with the side effects of cancer treatment, no herbal products have been shown to be effective for treating cancer. In fact, some herbal products may be harmful when taken during chemotherapy or radiation therapy because they may interfere with how these treatments work. Cancer patients should talk with their doctor about any alternative medicine products, including vitamins and herbal supplements, which they may be using.

Aug. 26, 2021 | If someone in your family has a form a cancer, how likely are you to get it as well? According to Dr. Michael Birrer, director of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at UAMS, cancer is caused by harmful changes, or mutations, in genes. Only about 5 to 10 percent of cancers are caused by harmful mutations that are inherited from a person’s parents. In families with an inherited cancer-causing mutation, multiple family members will often develop the same type of cancer. These cancers are called “familial” or “hereditary” cancers. If you have inherited certain cancer genes that put you at a high risk for cancer, your doctor may recommend a screening or medications to reduce the chance that the disease will develop. Dr. Birrer says the remaining 90 to 95 percent of cancers are caused by mutations that happen during a person’s lifetime as a natural result of aging and exposure to environmental factors, such as tobacco smoke and radiation.

Aug. 26, 2021 | Can sweets or simply just being sweet make a difference in the chances of whether or not you get cancer? Unfortunately, there’s no scientific evidence that shows that person’s attitude can make a difference in his or her risk of developing or dying from cancer. If you have cancer, it’s normal to feel sad, angry, or discouraged sometimes and positive or upbeat at other times. People with a positive attitude may be more likely to maintain social connections and stay active, and physical activity and emotional support may help you cope with your cancer. And although research has shown that cancer cells consume more sugar, or glucose, than normal cells, no studies have shown that eating sugar will make your cancer worse or that, if you stop eating sugar, your cancer will shrink or disappear. However, a high-sugar diet may contribute to excess weight gain, and obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing several types of cancer.