CANCER MYTHS

CANCER MYTHS
(the Truth About Cancer / Facts About Cancer)  

 

If a parent has cancer, then his or her child will develop cancer.

All cancer is due to genetic changes, but not all the genetic changes come from a family member. In fact, only 5% to 10% of cancers are hereditary (from a family member). Most cancers happen after a person acquires multiple mutations (changes in the genetic code, or DNA) from tobacco, sunlight, radiation, or other factors, some of which probably have not been identified yet. And having an inherited gene mutation does not mean you will definitely develop cancer, it just means you have an increased risk of cancer.

 

Only women get breast cancer.

This is by far the biggest cancer myth of all. Men get breast cancer also! An estimated 1500 men will be diagnosed and about 500 will die from the disease this year. Male breast cancer is uncommon, yet still happens.

 

Some types of cancer can be contagious.

No type of cancer is contagious. However, there are two known contagious viruses, HPV and Hepatitis C, that can cause cancer. HPV is a known risk factor for cervical cancer and Hep C causes liver cancer. Both viruses can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, although Hep C is more often transmitted through blood to blood contact such as sharing needles and transfusions (prior to 1992).

Cell phones cause cancer.

Contrary to popular belief, cell phones are not believed to be a cause of cancer. There is no credible study available that consistently proves that using a cell phone has the ability to cause cancer.

(the Truth About Cancer / Facts About Cancer)

Warning! DO NOT TRUST THIS SITE:  

http://www.cancer.net/patient/All+About+Cancer/Cancer.Net+Feature+Articles/Cancer+Basics/Cancer+Myths 
It'll tell you that Sugar and Cancer has no Link while IN FACT IT HAS.  And studies proving it are too many to post on one site.