There are a lot of misconceptions about cancer. Here are some common myths via Cancer.net , the patient website of the American Society of Clinical Oncology:

The number of people diagnosed with and dying from cancer is increasing.

Actually, the number of new diagnoses of all cancers combined decreased steadily between 1999 and 2006, and the number of deaths from all cancers combined decreased steadily between 2001 and 2006, according to the most recent study by the National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Cancer Society, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries. More people with cancer are now living longer lives with a better quality of life due to early diagnosis, lifestyle changes, and better treatment options.

The medical establishment is hiding a cure for cancer.

The medical community is not withholding a miracle treatment. There is no one single cure for cancer. More than 100 types of cancer exist, and they respond differently to various methods of treatment. Those who work in the medical field have the same likelihood of developing cancer as the general population, and they are eager for new and better treatments to emerge.

If you are diagnosed with cancer, you will probably die.

Cancer is not a death sentence. There are many effective treatments. In fact, more than 60% of people with cancer survive five years or more after the initial diagnosis.

Hair dyes and antiperspirants can cause cancer.

To date, there is no conclusive scientific evidence that these items increase the risk of developing cancer. Some studies have suggested that hair dyes used before 1980 could be linked to an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, but the unsafe chemicals have since been removed from hair dye products. There is limited and inconsistent evidence that hair dye can increase the risk of other cancers. Meanwhile, some research suggests skin may absorb aluminum-based compounds—the active ingredient in antiperspirants—and cause hormonal effects, which has led some to believe that antiperspirants could contribute to the development of breast cancer. However, there is no good evidence to support that claim.

A person develops cancer because they have a weakened immune system.

Although this is partially true among certain people—such as those with AIDS or those who take immune-suppressing drugs following an organ transplant—the “strength” of someone’s immune system does not affect the chance of developing cancer. Most common cancers do not occur in people with immune system problems. That also means that attempting to “strengthen the immune system,” which is actually not possible for most people, is not an effective treatment for cancer.

Positive thinking will cure cancer.

Although a positive attitude can improve your quality of life during cancer treatment, there is no scientific evidence that it can cure cancer. Placing such importance on attitude can lead to unnecessary guilt and disappointment if—for reasons beyond your control—your health does not improve.

Cancer treatment is usually worse than the disease.

Although cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation are known to have some side effects that can be unpleasant and sometimes dangerous, recent advances have resulted in many chemotherapy drugs and radiation treatments that are much better tolerated than past treatments. Symptoms like severe nausea and vomiting, hair loss, and tissue damage are much less common these days. For each patient, oncologists always try to balance the known risks and side effects of the treatment with the expected benefits.

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