Cancer causes: Popular myths about the causes of cancer
Cancer results in: Well known myths about the results in of cancer
Misconceptions about cancer results in can direct to avoidable fret about your health. Uncover out no matter if you can find any truth to these prevalent myths about the results in of cancer.
By Mayo Clinic Employees
Frightening statements circulate on the net that everyday objects and solutions, these types of as plastic and deodorant, cause cancer. Past remaining incorrect, several of these myths could cause you to fret unnecessarily about your individual health and the health of your household.
Right before you panic, choose a seem at the reality driving these prevalent myths.
Myth: Antiperspirants or deodorants can cause breast cancer.
Truth: You can find no conclusive evidence linking the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants with breast cancer.
Some reports have instructed that these solutions incorporate dangerous substances these types of as aluminum compounds and parabens that can be absorbed by way of the skin or enter the entire body by way of nicks brought on by shaving. No clinical studies have however supplied a definitive remedy to the question of no matter if these solutions cause breast cancer. But the evidence to date indicates these solutions you should not cause cancer.
If you happen to be even now worried that your underarm antiperspirant or deodorant could raise your threat of cancer, pick solutions that you should not incorporate chemicals that fret you.
Myth: Microwaving meals in plastic containers and wraps releases dangerous, cancer-causing substances.
Truth: Plastic containers and wraps labeled as risk-free for use in the microwave you should not pose a danger.
There is some evidence that plastic containers that usually are not intended for use in the microwave could soften and possibly leak chemicals into your meals. Prevent microwaving plastic containers that ended up never ever intended for the microwave, these types of as margarine tubs, takeout containers or whipped topping bowls.
Examine to see that any container you use in the microwave is labeled as microwave-risk-free.
Myth: People who have cancer should not try to eat sugar, because it can cause cancer to develop faster.
Truth: Far more study is wanted to comprehend the marriage between sugar in the food plan and cancer. All varieties of cells, including cancer cells, count on blood sugar (glucose) for vitality. But giving more sugar to cancer cells doesn’t make them develop faster. Similarly, depriving cancer cells of sugar doesn’t make them develop more bit by bit.
This false impression could be centered in aspect on a misunderstanding of positron emission tomography (PET) scans, which use a tiny amount of radioactive tracer — typically a sort of glucose. All tissues in your entire body soak up some of this tracer, but tissues that are making use of more vitality — including cancer cells — soak up increased amounts. For this purpose, some individuals have concluded that cancer cells develop faster on sugar. But this isn’t accurate.
There is some evidence that consuming massive amounts of sugar is affiliated with an amplified threat of selected cancers, including esophageal cancer. Feeding on much too significantly sugar can also direct to excess weight attain and raise the threat of obesity and diabetic issues, which could raise the threat of cancer.
Myth: Cancer is contagious.
Truth: You can find no have to have to stay away from anyone who has cancer. You can not catch it. It is really Ok to contact and devote time with anyone who has cancer. In truth, your help could never ever be more useful.
However cancer itself isn’t contagious, occasionally viruses, which are contagious, can direct to the progress of cancer. Examples of viruses that can cause cancer incorporate:
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) — a sexually transmitted an infection — that can cause cervical cancer and other types of cancer
- Hepatitis B or C — viruses transmitted by way of sexual intercourse or use of infected IV needles — that can cause liver cancer
Talk to your medical doctor about vaccines and other strategies to secure on your own from these viruses.
March 21, 2020See more In-depth
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