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Cancer Myths and Facts

Published: Tuesday, April 1, 2008

We have become excellent healthcare consumers. In the case of cancer, overall incidence rates have declined over the past two decades. In large part, this is due to proper cancer prevention measures and early cancer detection through cancer screening recommendations.

Yet, with the advent of information through mass media such as news, magazines, Internet and friends, there have been many myths about cancer. This article outlines a few cancer myths.

Breast Cancer Myth: Annual mammograms will expose me to too much radiation, which will cause me to get breast cancer anyway.

Fact: According to the American College of Radiology, the benefits of annual mammograms far outweigh the risk incurred due to the small amount of radiation used during this screening and diagnostic procedure. Annual mammograms are the best screening tool to detect breast cancer.

Prostate Cancer Myth: An elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) means I have prostate cancer. A "normal" PSA means I don’t have cancer.

Fact: PSA levels can fluctuate. These variations can indicate a variety of possible prostate-related problems other than prostate cancer. An elevated PSA can be due to prostatitis or benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). Men with prostate cancer can have low PSA levels. However, the PSA test is still the best screening test currently available for the early detection of prostate cancer.

Colon Cancer

Myth: Colorectal screening is only necessary if I have colon cancer symptoms.

Fact: Because symptoms of colorectal cancer may not occur until the more advanced stages of the disease, proper screening is critical. Screening depends on your age, your health and the health history of your family. If you are 50 years of age, you should begin screening for colorectal cancer. If there is a family history of colorectal cancer, you need to be screened before the age of 50.

Lung Cancer Myth: I do not smoke so I will never get lung cancer.

Fact: It is a true that current and former smokers are at higher risk for lung cancer than non-smokers. However, you can develop lung cancer from inhaling large amounts of secondhand smoke. Another factor that can put you at a higher risk for developing the disease is exposure to radiation or certain industrial substances such as arsenic, organic chemicals, radon and asbestos. Click here for information on Smoking Cessation.

Skin Cancer / Melanoma

Myth: A tanning bed is a safer way to get a tan.

Fact: A tanning bed actually produces the same ultraviolet rays as the sun. It is a fact that a tanning bed can be more dangerous than the sun due to the production of UVA radiation, which penetrates deeper into your skin. Sunlight contains a mix of UVA and UVB and is filtered by the ozone layer. Read Why Tanning Beds Might be Hurting You.

Brain Myth: Cell Phones and Cancer

Fact: 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 causes cancer.

In a Danish study of more than 420,000 people, no correlation could be made between cancer risk and cell phone use. (Journal of the National Cancer Institute, December 2006)

Cervical Cancer

Myth: I don’t have intercourse, so I do not need Pap smear.

Fact: The American Cancer Society recommends all women should begin cervical cancer screening about 3 years after becoming sexually active, but no later than 21 years old.

For further information regarding current cancer screening recommendations, please contact the Cancer Institute at 865.305.8577.

Additional medical information regarding current cancer information is available through the Preston Medical Library (865.305.9525).

References
American College of Radiology
American Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention