Most cancers will cause: Common myths about the will cause of cancer

Misconceptions about cancer will cause can guide to avoidable worry about your health and fitness. Locate out whether there is certainly any truth to these popular myths about the will cause of cancer.

By Mayo Clinic Personnel

Terrifying promises flow into on the online that everyday objects and merchandise, these kinds of as plastic and deodorant, cause cancer. Past being wrong, numerous of these myths may perhaps cause you to worry unnecessarily about your personal health and fitness and the health and fitness of your relatives.

Right before you panic, consider a appear at the fact driving these popular myths.

Myth: Antiperspirants or deodorants can cause breast cancer.

Fact: You will find no conclusive evidence linking the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants with breast cancer.

Some reviews have instructed that these merchandise include dangerous substances these kinds of as aluminum compounds and parabens that can be absorbed via the pores and skin or enter the system via nicks brought on by shaving. No scientific scientific studies have however supplied a definitive answer to the concern of whether these merchandise cause breast cancer. But the evidence to day indicates these merchandise never cause cancer.

If you happen to be nevertheless anxious that your underarm antiperspirant or deodorant could enhance your risk of cancer, decide on merchandise that never include chemicals that worry you.

Myth: Microwaving food in plastic containers and wraps releases dangerous, cancer-creating substances.

Fact: Plastic containers and wraps labeled as protected for use in the microwave never pose a threat.

There is some evidence that plastic containers that are not meant for use in the microwave could melt and potentially leak chemicals into your food. Avoid microwaving plastic containers that were under no circumstances meant for the microwave, these kinds of as margarine tubs, takeout containers or whipped topping bowls.

Check to see that any container you use in the microwave is labeled as microwave-protected.

Myth: Men and women who have cancer should not take in sugar, considering the fact that it can cause cancer to grow quicker.

Fact: More investigate is desired to realize the marriage concerning sugar in the diet program and cancer. All sorts of cells, which include cancer cells, count on blood sugar (glucose) for electrical power. But offering more sugar to cancer cells will not make them grow quicker. Similarly, depriving cancer cells of sugar will not make them grow more little by little.

This false impression may perhaps be based in aspect on a misunderstanding of positron emission tomography (PET) scans, which use a tiny sum of radioactive tracer — commonly a sort of glucose. All tissues in your system take in some of this tracer, but tissues that are using more electrical power — which include cancer cells — take in bigger amounts. For this cause, some persons have concluded that cancer cells grow quicker on sugar. But this isn’t legitimate.

There is some evidence that consuming significant amounts of sugar is related with an increased risk of particular cancers, which include esophageal cancer. Consuming way too substantially sugar can also guide to fat obtain and enhance the risk of being overweight and diabetes, which may perhaps enhance the risk of cancer.

Myth: Most cancers is contagious.

Fact: You will find no need to have to stay away from an individual who has cancer. You can’t capture it. It really is Alright to contact and invest time with an individual who has cancer. In truth, your assist may perhaps under no circumstances be more valuable.

Even though cancer alone isn’t contagious, occasionally viruses, which are contagious, can guide to the development 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 kinds of cancer
  • Hepatitis B or C — viruses transmitted via sexual intercourse or use of infected IV needles — that can cause liver cancer

Chat to your health practitioner about vaccines and other techniques to defend oneself from these viruses.