Cancer, or oncological disease, is an abnormal proliferation of cells that is not under the body’s control. Nowadays, the number of cancer cases continues to increase. While there were 18.7 million cases reported worldwide in 2010, this number increased to 23.6 million by 2019 and is expected to rise to 29.5 million by 2040. Increasing life expectancy is one of the main reasons for the increase in cancer incidence, since the risk of developing it increases with age.
Myth: Cancer is contagious
One common misconception is the idea that you can get cancer from another person. In fact, transmission of cancer from person to person is only possible through organ transplantation or blood transfusion from a donor with cancer. The probability of this is extremely low – only about 0.02%.
Myth: After radiation therapy a person becomes radioactive
The myth that radiation therapy makes a patient radioactive is false. Radiation therapy does not make the patient radioactive because the radiation is not retained in the body’s tissues. A person undergoing radiation therapy is safe for others and does not need to take additional precautions.
Myth: Cancer is a death sentence
Although cancer is a serious disease, early detection and timely treatment can significantly increase the chances of recovery. The five-year survival rate after a cancer diagnosis is more than 67%, and for some types of cancer the chances of survival are even higher.
Myth: It is possible to cure cancer with alternative methods
There are many alternative cancer treatments, but none of them are scientifically proven to provide a complete cure. Although some alternative medicine such as yoga, aromatherapy and massage can help patients cope with stress and improve quality of life, they cannot replace traditional medical treatment.
Myth: Smartphones and power lines create harmful radiation
Scientific studies have shown that radiation from smartphones and power lines does not affect the risk of cancer. These statements have no scientific basis.
Myth: The patient’s condition worsens after surgery
Despite the painfulness of the procedure, surgery not only does not worsen the patient’s condition, but is also a necessary step in cancer treatment. Refusal to undergo surgery may lead to worsening of the condition and progression of the disease.
Myth: The side effects of treatment are worse than the disease
Cancer treatment may have side effects, but the chance of saving your life is much higher than the risk of possible side effects. Modern medicine offers many ways to minimize these effects and improve the quality of life of patients.
Medical science is constantly evolving, and new methods for diagnosing and treating cancer appear every year. We hope that in the future this will help make cancer treatment more effective and accessible to everyone.
