Common Myths Associated with Cancer Pt I
Published: 29/04/2010 by Adeleye R. Afonja MD
Cancer is such a dreaded disease that a lot of people who have not, for one reason or the other, had the opportunity to learn the correct information about the type of cancer tend to accept certain information in its totality , which if not ‘NIPPED IN THE BUD’ gets passed from one person to another and eventually harms a few people who are trapped in this misinformed zone when they get diagnosed with cancer and decision making processes become terribly complicated. In the inner city hospitals in america where the socio-economic status is low, these myths are so prevalent with severe negative impact on early detection and treatment of this dreaded disease. These series of write-ups would attempt to expose these common myths with the sole objective of improving the layman’s understanding of the disease ‘cancer’ which ultimately translates to increased awareness and use of available health resources for early detection and treatment of cancer.
Cultural differences play a major role in the different types of myths that will be discussed on a weekly basis here. The first erroneous statement about cancer is ‘CANCER is CANCER’. Nothing could be further from the truth. Cancer is definitely not cancer. To a newly diagnosed patient, this statement portrays the defeatist attitude of the individual. This statement tends to generalize the hopelessness of cancer and attempts to have it treated. The facts are: 1) All cancers are different. The same way the people of different nations worldwide look and ‘think’ differently. A human body is composed of many different organs which in turn are made up of tissues and cells that carry out diverse functions. When cancer develops in these different cellular elements, the characteristics, symptoms, complications, responses to chemotherapy, radiation or biology therapy are usually a direct product of the genetic makeup of the individual tissues in these organs. In addition to this basic understanding is the fact that environmental exposure to certain toxins (which vary from one place to another) causes a damage to the DNA material in the cells. You can see the analogy in two individuals, dark and light skin persons exposed to the sun. The degree of tan, damage to the skin, and the time it takes the skin to heal are obviously going to be different. So is the individual cancer. Cancer does NOT always mean death, permanent disability, disfigurement and lifelong misery. Certain cancers, when detected early are completely curable and the lesson for today is to have a low threshold for seeking medical care with suspected changes in our body. Detection of slight changes assumes that you know your body well by the way. Frequent self-examination (without being neurotic) would ensure this. Annual pap smear, skin examinations by a dermatologist, digital rectal examination, PSA level and colonoscopy are a few of the various ways we can be screened and are known to increase early detection of cancers. Undergoing all these tests, however, does not completely rule out the possibility of a cancer developing without being detected early as the rate of growth and location of the cancer are important factors that must be borne in mind. Ignorance definitely is a disease and it must not be allowed to cloud our judgement. Hence the need for proper enlightenment, as the saying goes: ‘He who has the ability to ask for proper directions never misses his way’.
ARE YOU A NEWLY DIAGNOSED CANCER PATIENT?
Your feeling of sadness, anxiety, depression, despair, fear of the unknown, fear of death, fear of chemotherapy and its complications, fear of radiation therapy, loss of body parts, family dependence, financial instability and what the future holds for your children, husband, wife or family and other numerous concerns are appreciated. Discussing the way you feel and asking questions frequently help to allay unfounded fears while you gain more knowledge that come in handy in tackling daily problems associated with this dreaded disease. So, what are you waiting for? Let me hear your views!
Take care everyone!
