Cancer is the abnormal growth of a certain type of cells with-in in the body. The incidence of various
cancers is steadily increasing worldwide, and a significant contributor to this alarming trend is the
lifestyle changes that we have consciously or sub-consciously imbibed over years. Unhealthy diets
loaded with processed foods, excessive consumption of red and processed meats, smoking, and alcohol
abuse, chronic stress, air pollutants, and many other factors are fueling the rise in various cancers.
Sedentary lifestyles, prolonged screen time, and lack of physical activity are leading to obesity, a known
risk factor for various cancers. The key to prevention is thus active modification in the predisposing
factors along with awareness about the need for medical check-ups and timely screenings.
“Demythyfying Cancer”
- All Lumps Are Cancer:All Lumps in the body are not cancer. In fact, a majority of the lumps are
benign. However, to understand which lump could be cancerous is difficult. Mostly the lumps
which are painless to start with and are rapidly growing need utmost attention. To establish
whether a lump is cancerous or not, a tissue diagnosis is mandatory.
- Cancer Is Contagious: This is a common myth that cancer is contagious, which is not true.
Cancer cannot be spread from one person to another, and one cannot catch cancer by touching,
sharing food, or being in the vicinity of someone with the disease. However, there are certain
infections that are caused by viruses or bacteria that increase the risk of cancer. For instance,
cervical cancer can be caused by the human papillomavirus, and hepatitis B and C can increase
the risk of liver cancer.
- Cancer is Always Fatal: A lot of people fear that cancer will end in death always. However, this is
a myth, as cancer is not always fatal. The outcome of the patient is dependent mainly on the
type of cancer, the stage in which the cancer is detected, and the person’s response to the
treatment. Any delay in the start of treatment can make convert a potentially curable disease to
a non-curable disease. With multi-modality treatment essentially in the form of surgical removal
of cancer, followed or preceded by chemotherapy and radiation therapy offers patients a
chance of disease free life.
- Smoking is the Only Cause of Lung Cancer:
Smoking is a factor that plays a major role in causing
lung cancer and many others as well. However, this is not the only cause of lung cancer. There
are other factors, such as chronic exposure to uranium, silica, beryllium, arsenic, poly aromatic
hydrocarbons which are a part of environmental pollution, can increase the risk of a person
developing lung cancer. There also are people who have never smoked in life but can still
develop lung cancer.
- A Biopsy or Surgery Will Cause Cancer to Spread: One major belief that people have about
cancer is that having a biopsy or surgery will cause the cancer to spread. However, this is a
misconception, as there is no evidence that can prove that these procedures can cause cancer
to spread. In fact, biopsies or surgery are conducted by doctors in order to gain insight about the
cancer and decide the best course of treatment. A tissue diagnosis obtained from biopsy helps
establish the type of cancer and helps decide the plan of management.
- Cancer Treatment Is Always Painful: There is a common belief that cancer treatments like
chemotherapy or surgery are painful. These treatments can cause discomfort or side effects, but
with the advancements in modern medicine and acceptance of newer technological
advancements, the incidence of side effects can be brought down and pain management can be
done very effectively. This ensures that the patients can comply with the planned treatment and
thus be able to achieve a disease free status.
- Surgery Is Not Needed If the Tumor Is Solid: Another common belief is that if the tumor is solid,
surgery is not necessary. However, Surgery is the main modality of management of all solid
tumors. Surgery does not only help remove the tumor completely but also helps accurately
stage the disease and thus plan adjuvant treatment needed to prevent chances of local and
distant recurrence. Also in patients who present in advanced stages, surgery can help palliate
symptoms due to the tumor size; example: doing by-pass surgery in obstructive tumors.
- If Cancer Returns After Surgery, It Means Surgery Didn’t Work: Recurrence of Cancers after
treatment is a common event in patients who present with advanced stages of disease and if
the biology of disease is aggressive. Inspite of the best possible treatment a particular
percentage of people with definitely recur. The chances of recurrence can’t be predicted
definitely but a strict protocol based follow-up with your oncologist can help detect the
recurrence earlier and thus achieve a cure.
- Removing the Entire Organ Is Always Necessary: This is another common belief, which is not
always true. Surgery does not always mean that the entire organ will be removed. In many
cases, surgeons remove the tumor and a small portion of the surrounding tissue. Organ
preservation can depend on the type of cancer, the organ it affects, and the size of the cancer.
Like most of the patients of Breast Cancer can be treated curatively by preserving the Breast.
Very occasionally if the disease demands removal of the organ in toto, a reconstruction helps
regain the functionality.
- If No One in My Family Has Cancer, I Won’t Get It: Most cancers are not directly inherited.
While genetic factors may play a role in some cancers, environmental, lifestyle, and age-related
factors are responsible for the majority of cases. Regular screenings are important even if
there’s no family history.
- If You Feel Healthy, You Don’t Have Cancer: Many cancers don’t cause symptoms in the early
stages. Feeling healthy doesn’t necessarily mean you are cancer-free. Regular screenings, such
as mammograms, colonoscopies, and pap smears, are crucial for early detection, even if you feel
fine.
Cancer is a complex disease, but separating myths from facts can lead to better understanding and
timely action. Early detection and intervention remain the cornerstones of successful treatment. For
severe cases, surgical procedures like tumor resection, mastectomy, lumpectomy, and colectomy are
often performed to remove the tumor. Additionally, treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy,
immunotherapy, and targeted therapy play an important role in managing the disease. Timely
consultation with a doctor is critical. Delaying diagnosis and treatment can allow cancer to progress to
more advanced stages, reducing the chances of recovery. If you notice any unusual symptoms or have a
family history of cancer, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice.
