Cancer is not contagious: Check out these 5 myths related to cancer as an infectious disease

Posted on March 19, 2024

Published on Mar 19, 2024 07:00 AM IST

Debunking cancer myths: Understanding the truth behind common misconceptions related to cancer as hereditary or an infectious disease

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Published on Mar 19, 2024 07:00 AM IST

Cancer is a disease in which the patient suffers from uncontrolled, unregulated, unwanted cell growth at a very rapid pace due to changes in the genetic programming of the cell hence, any queries about cancer diagnosis or treatment should ideally be taken up with an expert oncologist who can help clear up misconceptions and also determine the right cancer treatment. In an interview with Zarafshan Shiraz of HT Lifestyle, Dr Durgatosh Pandey, Head of Oncology Sciences and Consultant – Surgical Oncology at Manipal Hospital in Dwarka, debunked 5 cancer related myths – (Photo by Cherry)

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Myth #1: Cancer is contagious or infectious. Fact: People wrongly associate cancer as a contagious disease; however, this is a misconception and can’t be spread by touching the person who has it. (Representative Image/Shutterstock)

Published on Mar 19, 2024 07:00 AM IST

Myth #1: Cancer is contagious or infectious. Fact: People wrongly associate cancer as a contagious disease; however, this is a misconception and can’t be spread by touching the person who has it. (Representative Image/Shutterstock)

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Myth #2: Hereditary Fact: Cancer is not hereditary, for instance. 5–10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary, and the majority of breast cancer cases have no family history of cancer. (Shutterstock)

Published on Mar 19, 2024 07:00 AM IST

Myth #2: Hereditary Fact: Cancer is not hereditary, for instance. 5–10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary, and the majority of breast cancer cases have no family history of cancer. (Shutterstock)

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Myth #3: Biopsy can lead to the spread of cancer. Fact: A common myth about biopsies is that it causes cancer to spread, but this is not true. A biopsy is the preliminary procedure to diagnose cancer and determine appropriate treatment. (File Photo by Instagram)

Published on Mar 19, 2024 07:00 AM IST

Myth #3: Biopsy can lead to the spread of cancer. Fact: A common myth about biopsies is that it causes cancer to spread, but this is not true. A biopsy is the preliminary procedure to diagnose cancer and determine appropriate treatment. (File Photo by Instagram)

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Myth #4: Cancer leads to death. Fact: Many cancers are curable or treatable, and the survival rates have improved significantly with advancements in detection and treatment. (Photo by Shutterstock)

Published on Mar 19, 2024 07:00 AM IST

Myth #4: Cancer leads to death. Fact: Many cancers are curable or treatable, and the survival rates have improved significantly with advancements in detection and treatment. (Photo by Shutterstock)

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Myth #5: Only smokers get lung cancer. Fact: 80% of lung cancer is due to smoking habits, and 20% of lung cancer patients are non-smokers due to other risk factors like second-hand smoking or air pollution; hence, only smokers get lung cancer. (File Photo)

Published on Mar 19, 2024 07:00 AM IST

Myth #5: Only smokers get lung cancer. Fact: 80% of lung cancer is due to smoking habits, and 20% of lung cancer patients are non-smokers due to other risk factors like second-hand smoking or air pollution; hence, only smokers get lung cancer. (File Photo)

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