Today is World Cancer Day, which is all about debunking cancer myths. Do you know your cancer facts from your fiction? Do you find that the people around you have misconceptions about cancer? Please share this blog and let us know your cancer myths @mac_cancerinfo
There are lots of misconceptions about cancer out there, and today we want to set them straight. If people knew more about cancer, more cases could be prevented or diagnosed earlier. And if people knew more about how cancer affects people and families, then those people would be much better supported. So, here are 10 cancer myths and their corresponding truths…
The story of cancer is changing. Due to better treatments and cure rates than ever before, more people with cancer are surviving. Some people are surviving for 10 or 20 years after diagnosis. By 2020, almost half of Britons will get cancer in their lifetime, but 38% will not die from the disease. That’s why we have a whole section of our website dedicated to living with and after cancer. There’s information on managing side effects, financial issues, emotional effects, relationships and much more. You can also read more about cancer treatments on our website.
Many people affected by cancer feel that they should ‘be positive’. Sometimes, other people tell you it will help your recovery. But nobody can be positive all the time, and it’s natural to feel sadness, anger and other emotions about your cancer. Whatever you’re feeling is okay. And there is no convincing evidence that positive thinking can make cancer treatments more effective. If you’re struggling to cope with a cancer diagnosis, talking about your feelings can help, perhaps with your friends or family, our Online Community or our cancer support specialists.
Although cancer in young people is rarer, it affects around 4,000 people a year under the age of 25. Being a young person with cancer can feel quite isolating. There’s a section on our website dedicated to young people with cancer, where you can find information about cancer types, treatments and living with cancer as a teen or young adult. There’s also a group on our Online Community for people who are aged 16–24 and living with cancer. It's a space to talk freely to people who understand what you're going through.
In fact, only 5–10% of cancers have family link. But if you have a history of cancer in your family, it’s only natural to have concerns. Read more in our cancer genetics section, where you’ll find information about cancer genes, inherited cancers and genetic testing.
For many people this is not true. People can often get on with their usual activities and stay active. Sometimes, treatment may disrupt your work and other aspects of your life quite a bit, whereas at other times, you might feel able to do most of the things you normally do.
Not all chemotherapy drugs have this side effect. And when a drug does have this possible side effect, it doesn’t mean it will necessarily happen to you. Some people find they lose some hair but not all of it. Hair can be affected in other ways too – it might get thinner or drier. Sometimes other body hair can fall out such as eyebrows, eyelashes or facial hair. We have lots of information about coping with hair loss. And our chemotherapy web pages have information about other side effects. Radiotherapy can cause hair loss as well, but unlike chemotherapy, it only affects hair in the area being treated.
There are two ways of giving radiotherapy: externally and internally. While internal radiotherapy can mean you are radioactive for a period of time, external radiotherapy does not make you radioactive. If you have external radiotherapy, it’s perfectly safe for you to be with other people, including children, throughout your treatment.
Treatment should be offered to everyone based on their medical situation and general fitness to tolerate treatment, not their numerical age. More than 130,000 people in the UK have survived for at least 10 years after being diagnosed with cancer at age 65 or over. There are also more than 8,000 people alive today who have survived for at least 10 years after being diagnosed at 80 or over. At Macmillan, we believe age is just a number, and it shouldn’t be used as a reason to treat older people with cancer differently. Find out more about our Age Old Excuse campaign.
Usually, the earlier a cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatment is. If you notice any symptoms or changes to your body, you should see your GP. Symptoms are usually caused by conditions other than cancer, but it’s important to get them checked. If they are caused by a cancer, then the earlier it’s found, the more likely treatment is to be successful.
If you look after someone with cancer, you may not think of yourself as a carer. But a carer is someone who provides unpaid support to a family member or friend who couldn’t manage without this help. If you’re supporting someone with cancer, there are lots of resources out there to help you, and it’s important to make sure you look after yourself. Find out how we can help you if you’re supporting someone with cancer.
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