Cancer! The word which strikes fear and discomfort feeling into the hearts of most of the people. Most of them have so many assumptions and doubts about cancer that sometimes it's not true or based on facts. Myths and misconceptions about cancer can cause unnecessary worries about your health. Cancer develops when cells mutate and begin to multiply uncontrollably without normal cell death mechanisms in place. These malignant cells often spread to other parts of the body, invading more cells and tissues. All information or misconception can affect the way people responds or reacts to the diagnosis of cancer. Here are some of the cancer myths: 

Myth #1: Cancer is always fatal and deadly 

Healthcare and medicine have made huge way and strides in all the treatments, including cancer. Cancer is no longer deadly as once. The survival rate of cancer has increased. Significant factors in this change include reduced smoking rates, early detection, and early treatment. 

Myth #2: Is all lump cancerous? 

Lumps can be detected during screenings and medical examinations. Lumps or tumors can be either benign or malignant. The medical examiner will conduct the necessary test and know if the growth is benign, precancerous, or cancerous. 

Myth #3: : If you have a family history of cancer, you will get it too.

Cancer is caused by genetic mutations that occur within the cells. Changes in cell DNA cause cancer. Genetic mutations can be random, caused by environmental factors such as radiation exposure and pollution, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, excessive drinking, poor dietary habits, other cancer-causing substances, and even viruses. Although having a family history of cancer increases your risk of developing the disease, it is not a complete prediction of your future health. We can prevent cancers by making simple lifestyle changes, such as forming healthy eating habits, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, limiting alcoholic beverages, practicing sun safety, and avoiding tobacco products. 

Myth #4: Cancer is contagious

Cancer was never contagious. Most common diseases are either caused by bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms. Cancer happens when there is a change in our cellular DNA. These changes are random and may occur at any time of our life. In most people, these mutated cells are destroyed by cell death mechanisms, but if these mechanisms fail, then it develops into cancer. While cancer can spread within the body, it cannot be transmitted from one person to another. You cannot catch cancer from someone who has it. Rarely will a person who has had an organ or tissue transplantation develop cancer from a donor who had cancer previously. Although cancer itself does not spread from person to person, certain viruses can increase your risk of getting cancer. Hepatitis B or C spreads through sexual intercourse or infected needles and increases your risk of getting liver cancer.

Myth #5: Radiation therapy will kill you

Radiation therapy can be physically and mentally exhausting, but it is a life-saving treatment. Radiation therapy has been optimized to deliver the maximum benefit and cause the least harm to the patients. Some side effects are to be expected, but these are not life-threatening. 

Myth #6: Cancer surgery will cause cancer to spread more

Many people with cancer undergo surgery to remove the tumor or collect a tissue sample for biopsy. There is no evidence to support the statement that cancer surgery causes the disease to spread. Surgical tumor resection is an essential and often life-saving treatment. Surgical removal of a primary or non-metastasized tumor (a tumor that has not spread from its site of origin) helps to prevent the spread of cancer to other regions of the body.

Misconceptions about cancer causes can lead to unnecessary worry about your health. Find out whether there is any truth to these common myths about the causes of cancer.