It can be hard to distinguish fact from fiction, especially if it is about Cancer. Certain ideas about Cancer might look perfectly plausible, but many of them are scientifically wrong. Here are some myths about Cancer which we regularly encounter.
- Hair dyes can cause Cancer: There is currently no conclusive scientific evidence that using hair dye increases the risk of developing Cancer. This myth claims that dyes trap toxins developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- You will get Cancer if anyone in your family has had it: Most Cancers are caused by genetic changes that occur throughout a person’s lifetime. Most of them who get the disease have no family history. Only 10 to 15% of Cancers are passed down from parents to children.
- Sugar causes Cancer: This is the most common myth about Cancer. However, there is no evidence that proves eating sugar will make Cancer grow and spread more quickly. So, eating sugar won’t speed up the growth of Cancer, just as cutting sugar out completely won’t slow down its growth.
- Acidic diet causes Cancer: Cancer cells can’t live in an overly alkaline environment, but neither can any of the other cells in your body. There is no evidence to prove that diet can manipulate whole body pH, or that it has any impact on Cancer.
- Cancer is caused due to exposure of cell phone: There have been various studies conducted on the subject, and the current scientific fact is that there is no relationship between use of cell phones devices and Cancer. Incidentally, the same goes for power lines around your house. There has never been any study that established a link between power lines and Cancer.
- Cancer is contagious disease: Cancer is not a contagious disease that easily spreads from person to person. The only situation in which Cancer can spread from one person to another is in the case of organ or tissue transplantation.
