Cancer - a malignant tumor of the cells of epithelial tissue (the mucous membranes, skin, tissue glands), which grows uncontrollably, sometimes seizing and destroying surrounding tissue or spread through the body via the blood and lymph (metastasis). As the mucous membranes are available in almost every internal organ, cancer may occur in any of them (stomach, lung, breast, and so on). In some organs develop cancer more frequently than others. There are benign tumors whose growth is limited, they do not grasp the surrounding tissue and prevent metastases. In this article we look at the ten most common misconceptions about cancer and try to refute them.
All types of cancer are equally dangerous
This is one of the most common misconceptions associated with cancer. Search the notorious "cure for cancer" suggests that one medicine can cure all kinds of cancer. In fact, there are varieties of malignancies 200 (cancer, sarcoma, lymphoma, teratoma, melanoma, and so forth), and each of them requires an individual approach and separate treatment. In particular, much depends on the level of scrutiny of a type of cancer, for example, through the efforts of many charities, breast cancer studied better than pancreatic cancer, so the survival rate is much higher in the first case.
Cancer cure
The use of modern medical technology can cure the vast majority of cancer diseases. Another thing is that the probability of such curing decreases as the stage at which the tumor was discovered.
In fact, the results of treatment depend on the type of cancer and the stage at which it is diagnosed. Most of the cancers detected in the first stage, curable almost 100%. One of the main indicators of radical cancer treatment - five-year survival. Patients who survived this period have the same life expectancy as their peers.
Ten-year survival of patients with all stages of the most common forms of thyroid cancer
The thyroid gland - is responsible for your hormones
from 70 to 95% - radioactive iodine burns even metastasis, penetrated into the brain. When the most common skin cancer - basal cell carcinoma - even monstrously neglected deeply penetrated cancer 5-year survival is achieved in 70-75% of cases. When detection of lung cancer in the first stage 5-year survival rate is 60-80%. Malignant tumors of the female genital organs constitute 24% of all tumors in women. In the US, Sweden, Japan, 70-80% of all cervical cancer cases are detected in the zero and first step. When it is detected early it cured 80 to 100% of cases. Although a cure for childhood leukemia and breast cancer there is, 80-90% of patients are treated successfully, and then can lead a relatively normal life.
Mobile phones may cause cancer
Recently, the list of common misconceptions about cancer, added the myth that it can cause permanent use of mobile phones. However, in reality, mobile technology every day are becoming more perfect and modern mobile phones contain much less carcinogens than their predecessors. Repeatedly conducted studies on the relationship between mobile phone use and brain cancer, but to establish and document this relationship is difficult. Last attempt to do so was made by the Danish Society for the fight against cancer (Danish Cancer Society), but the relationship has not been established.
Any growths found in the survey, malignant
As mentioned above, not all malignant neoplasms. The neoplasm may be a cyst, which is not harmful to health, and will resolve itself, or require surgery, but not fatal. But the survey are important because they allow to determine which tumors are benign, which - precancerous, and what - malignant, and if necessary, early treatment.
Artificial sweeteners cause cancer
This misconception periodically being discussed in the media, thanks largely conducted in 1969. Exploration activities on cyclamate mice. In the study, mice daily for several weeks received a dose of cyclamate equivalent to that contained in 800 banks of Diet Coke. As a result, the mice had been diagnosed with cancer. However, studies examining the effect of moderate amounts of artificial sweeteners on a living organism, have not proved their connection with cancer. In addition to artificial sweeteners, cancer is also associated with other products - coffee, broccoli and even drinking water (due to its content of fluoride supplements), but this relationship has not been proved.
Optimism - is the key to successful treatment of cancer
Of course, optimism and a positive attitude to what is happening helps to abstract from a difficult situation (therefore in the cancer ward is usually a cheerful staff), but does not accelerate cure. But there was no laughter and joy and tablets will not replace chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Unfortunately, the only cancer treatments offered by Western medicine, are the only effective methods, and all other - quackery. Phytotherapy and dietary supplements can only improve the well-being of the patient, but not cure it.
Surgery can result in cancer progression
The myth that the surgical treatment of cancer
Cancer Treatment - difficult, but necessary
can lead to the spread of metastases all over the body, there was several decades ago when it was possible to diagnose cancer at a later stage of the disease, and the operations performed mainly for studying tumor. Furthermore, while it was difficult to determine whether the cancer cells removed during surgery - there simply is not suitable equipment. However, since the medicine has made a big step forward, also increased the experience and qualifications of doctors is in the field of oncology. Results of surgical treatment of cancer in a specialized oncology clinic or department much better than in the general surgical wards.
Breast cancer - woman's disease
The risk of breast cancer in women
Breast cancer in women - one of the most frequent localizations
100 times higher than in males, but the possibility of breast cancer in men
Breast cancer in men - a rare disease
not excluded. According to the American Society for the fight against cancer (American Cancer Society), breast cancer annually diagnosed in 2,000 men.
Previously, the cancer was less common
Cancer has always existed, as always there was the possibility of cell mutation and cell degeneration. Mention of malignant tumors, describing their methods of diagnosis and treatment are almost all extant medical treatises. Two hundred years ago, life expectancy of 35-45 years, and cancer, our ancestors simply did not survive. Increased life span has led to an increase in the number of cancer patients. Improved diagnosis of cancer even without increasing the effectiveness of treatment leads to the fact that there are more people with a diagnosis of "cancer". Due to the better results of treatment in developed countries is now 1-3% of the population is living with cancer treated. Half of them can be considered to be cured completely.
The cure for cancer is found, but is not available to ordinary mortals
Numerous conspiracy theories apply to medicine - the myth that a cure for cancer is already open, but doctors and pharmacologists hide it from the public, not to lose revenue, is particularly popular. Even if we forget about the moral side of the matter - a worldwide conspiracy of doctors pests - should consider how one could get rich on this medication. Unfortunately, it is not only there, but also can not be.
