Truth About Cancer

Dr. Murali Subramanian

Medical Oncologist
Medical Director-Oncology India
 Truth about Cancer

Cancer is a dreaded disease and like anything that causes fear without knowledge,
the disease provides a fertile ground for myths and rumours. There are many
popular misconceptions about how the disease starts and spreads, but have no
scientific basis. They might make sense because those ideas are rooted in
traditional theories.

But erroneous ideas about the disease and blindly believing what others tell you
can lead to unnecessary worries and be an obstacle to taking proper and timely
decisions. Some of the widespread surrounding cancer are:
 Truth about Cancer

If There Is Cancer In My Family History I May Get Cancer Too.

 Truth about Cancer

If There Is Cancer In My Family History I May Get Cancer Too.

Not really. Cancer is caused by abnormal changes in the genes. Only

5 to 10 per cent of cancers are caused by harmful mutations
inherited from parents. In families where cancer-causing mutations
have been inherited, several family members often develop the
same type of cancer. These cancers are classified as hereditary or
familial cancers.
 Truth about Cancer

If no one in my family has had cancer, I am risk free

 Truth about Cancer

If no one in my family has had cancer, I am risk free

No, youre not. Cancers are caused by genetic mutations that might
occur throughout a persons lifetime. They may occur in you as well
irrespective of whether they occurred in your parents in your family.
Cancer is caused by various factors such as diet, lifestyle and
environmental influence. Your risk of developing cancer depends on
your exposure to the harmful effects of these factors.
 Truth about Cancer

Cancer is contagious
 Truth about Cancer

Cancer is contagious

Cancer itself is not contagious. However, some cancers are caused

by bacteria and viruses, which can spread from person to person.
Certain type of the human pappilomavirus (HPV) are known to
cause cervical, anal and some types of neck and head cancers.
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses can increase the risk of liver
cancer, while bacteria like H. Pylori can develop stomach cancer in a
person infected by it.

The distinction is that while these viruses and bacteria can cause
cancers after spreading from person to person, the cancer itself
cannot be spread likewise.
 Truth about Cancer

Cancer treatment is worse than the disease

 Truth about Cancer

Cancer treatment is worse than the disease

Some cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation

procedures can cause serious side effects like hair loss, nausea, etc.
and may seem extremely unpleasant. However, recent advances
have produced many chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapies,
which the body can now better tolerate. As a result, the earlier side-
effects are less prevalent or severe.

Furthermore, dealing with the side effects, called palliative care has
emerged as one of the focal points of cancer management. Proper
palliative emphasises on quality of life. A person feels more
comfortable at any stage of the disease while undergoing all forms
of treatment. Modern cancer treatment tries to minimise disruption
of the patients daily routine as far as possible.
Thank You