Cancer: Debunking Common Myths
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer was responsible for 10 million deaths worldwide in 2020, making it one of the leading causes of death globally.
In the United States, statistics show that around 39.5% of people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives.
With such a widespread and serious disease, it’s no surprise that myths and misunderstandings often arise. The term “cancer” actually refers to a group of diseases that can affect any part of the body, adding to the confusion.
In this article, we’ll clear up some of the most common misconceptions about cancer.
1. Cancer is always a death sentence
While cancer is serious, it’s not always fatal. Thanks to advances in research and treatment, recovery rates have been steadily improving.
For example, as of January 2019, there were an estimated 16.9 million cancer survivors in the U.S. In the U.K., survival rates have doubled over the past 40 years.
That said, survival chances vary greatly depending on the cancer type. For instance, testicular cancer has a 98% survival rate in the U.K., while pancreatic cancer has only a 1% survival rate.
The National Cancer Institute reports:
*”In the U.S., the chance of dying from cancer has been dropping since the 1990s. Today, the 5-year survival rate for cancers like breast, prostate, and thyroid is 90% or higher. For all cancers combined, it’s around 67%.”*
Overall, cancer death rates are declining, though progress varies by cancer type. A 2020 report in Cancer journal found:
“Cancer death rates fell by an average of 1.5% per year between 2001 and 2017.”
2. Cancer is contagious
False. Cancer itself cannot spread from person to person. However, some infections (like HPV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C) can lead to cancer in certain cases.
Interestingly, some animals, such as Tasmanian devils and dogs, can transmit cancer between each other—but this does not happen in humans.
3. Cell phones cause cancer
There’s no solid evidence linking cell phones to cancer. While they emit radiofrequency radiation (non-ionizing), this type of radiation does not damage DNA like ionizing radiation (e.g., X-rays) does.
The National Cancer Institute states:
“Despite many studies, there’s no consistent proof that non-ionizing radiation from cell phones, microwaves, or other sources increases cancer risk in humans.”
4. Power lines cause cancer
Another myth. Power lines produce extremely low-frequency (ELF) magnetic fields, which are non-ionizing and not known to cause cancer.
The American Cancer Society explains:
“Most large studies on ELF fields and cancer in animals found no increased risk—in fact, some cancers were less common in exposed animals.”
However, some research suggests a slight increase in childhood leukemia risk for kids living near power lines—though the reason remains unclear.
Dr. Joel Newman, a hematologist, puts it in perspective:
“There’s no real evidence that cell phones or power lines cause cancer. Risks like smoking and alcohol are far more significant.”
5. Artificial sweeteners cause cancer
No strong evidence supports this claim. Early studies linked cyclamate and saccharin to bladder cancer in rats, but human studies found no clear connection.
Similarly, research on aspartame involving over 500,000 people found no link to lymphoma, leukemia, or brain cancer.
6. Cancer surgery spreads cancer
This is rare, thanks to modern surgical techniques and imaging. While older methods sometimes posed risks, advances have greatly reduced this possibility.
Another related myth is that exposing a tumor to air makes it grow faster—this is completely false.
7. Herbal medicines can cure cancer
No herbal remedy has been proven to cure cancer. However, some alternative therapies (like acupuncture, yoga, or meditation) may help manage stress and side effects of treatment.
The National Cancer Institute warns:
“Just because something is ‘natural’ doesn’t mean it’s safe. For example, kava kava (used for anxiety) may harm the liver, and St. John’s wort (used for depression) can interfere with cancer medications.”
Always consult a doctor before taking supplements.
8. Cancer always runs in families
Only 3–10% of cancers are linked to inherited gene mutations. Most cancers result from gene changes that accumulate over time.
The American Cancer Society clarifies:
“While some cancers do run in families, most are not directly inherited from parents.”
Since cancer risk increases with age, and people live longer now, it’s common to have relatives who’ve had cancer—but that doesn’t mean it’s hereditary.
9. Cancer always comes back
Dr. Collin Vu, a medical oncologist, says:
“This is not true. Many cancers can be completely cured, though recurrence risks vary by cancer type and treatment.”
He adds that new treatments are improving cure rates, making this myth less relevant over time.
10. There’s no cure for cancer
Thankfully, this is false. Many cancers are curable, especially when caught early.
Dr. Vu notes:
- Testicular & thyroid cancers have 60%+ cure rates.
- Breast, prostate, and bladder cancers have ~50% cure rates.
Dr. Anton Bilchik, a surgical oncologist, adds:
“Even advanced cancers (like stage 4 melanoma or colon cancer) can sometimes be cured with immunotherapy, chemo, and surgery.”
The Bottom Line
While cancer remains a serious challenge, medical advancements are making treatments more effective than ever.