Common Cancer Myths, Debunked

Cancer is a disease that is unfortunately more common than people think. Either you, a friend, a family member, or an acquaintance will develop some form of cancer at one point in time. Even though it can be common, cancer is not understood well by most people. By learning the truths behind these common myths, you will have a better understanding of this serious disease.

Chemo Causes you to Go Bald

This myth can be a bit difficult for some people to understand mainly because there is some truth to it. However, you should know that chemotherapy does not always cause your hair to fall out. Basically, it will depend on what type of chemotherapy drug is used and how strong the dosage will be.

Chemotherapy medications are powerful drugs designed to attack cancer cells. During this process, these drugs attack other cells, such as the hair's cells, in your body.

Another thing to remember is that if you do start losing your hair because of the chemotherapy, it will only be temporary. Once the chemo is completed, your hair will start to grow back.

Surgery Causes Cancer to Spread

Another common myth people believe is that surgery will cause cancer to spread. Again, this is not necessarily true and understanding the myth is important so more and more people will choose surgery to remove cancerous tumors.

Your surgical team is specifically trained to remove cancerous tissue and masses without any worry of spreading the cancer. Whether you are undergoing a biopsy or a complete removal of a cancerous mass, appropriate techniques and tools are used to safely and effectively complete the surgery without any risk of contaminating other areas of the body.

Cancer is a Death Sentence

A cancer diagnosis is not meant to be pleasant. It can be frightening and saddening. In addition, diagnosis and treatment of cancer can be overwhelming physically and emotionally. While it does alter your life, cancer does not have to be a death sentence.

Recent studies have shown with early diagnosis and effective treatment, cancer can be beat. In 2016 alone, there were an estimated 15.5 million cancer survivors in the United States. The number of survivors is expected to increase drastically by 2026 thanks to the various advances in medical care and technology.

If you, a family member, or a friend has been recently diagnosed, remain hopeful, since there will be a great chance of surviving this dangerous disease. Contact a brain cancer center for more help.


Share