How do tumors actually arise and metastasize? Some concepts that seem reasonable, especially those that have been based on outdated theories and understanding, actually do not hold water in the face of science. Misconceptions may bring unnecessary panic and even affect the development of reasonable preventive measures and proper treatment plans. In this article, some common misconceptions about cancer are scientifically proven, and we hope they will be helpful to you. 1. Is having cancer a death sentence? No, it is not. Since the 1990s, the number of Americans dying from tumors has been decreasing year by year. The 5-year survival rate for breast, prostate and thyroid cancers has exceeded 90%, and the 5-year survival rate for all cancer patients can now reach 66%. It is important to note that these rates are calculated from a large number of patients. For a specific patient, how long he or she will survive and whether he or she will die from the tumor are based on a variety of factors: how fast the tumor grows, how it spreads in the body, whether it can be effectively treated and the patient’s overall health condition. 2.Will sugar accelerate cancer progression? No, it does not. Although studies have shown that cancer cells consume more sugar (glucose) than normal cells, there are no studies showing that “eating sugar aggravates cancer, and stopping sugar makes tumors shrink or disappear”. However, high sugar diet may lead to overweight, and obesity will increase the development of several cancer factors. 3. Do artificial sweeteners cause cancer? There is no evidence that saccharin, sweeteners, aspartame, sucralose and neotame can cause cancer. Except for sweeteners, all other sweeteners have been approved by the FDA. 4. Can cancer be transmitted? Basically not. Cancer is not a contagious disease. The only possibility is that the donor of the tissue or organ transplant has or had cancer, and the recipient of the transplant has the risk of getting transplant-related tumor, but the probability is only 2 in 10,000, which is extremely low. Certain viruses (such as HPV) and bacteria (such as Helicobacter pylori) may cause tumors and can be transmitted from person to person, but tumors due to these infections are not contagious. 5.Does the positive or negative attitude of “mind” have any effect on cancer recovery? Many people believe that there is a correlation between “mindset” of cancer patients and cancer or cancer death, but unfortunately, no convincing scientific evidence has been found so far. If you have cancer, it is natural to feel sad, irritated and depressed, which is perfectly normal. However, this will not always be the case. After letting go of the baggage, you will regain your old positivity and optimism. People with positive attitudes are more likely to maintain their social relationships and interact with people naturally and proactively. Proper exercise and emotional support will help you face your disease with courage. 6.Will surgery or biopsy cause cancer cells to spread in the body? The chance of surgery causing tumor to spread to other parts of the body is extremely low. During the surgical biopsy and resection process, doctors will follow the standard procedure and take special methods and various measures to prevent the tumor from spreading. For example, the surgical instruments used to remove or ablate the tumor in two parts are different. 7.Will the tumor progress faster after being exposed to air? No. Tumors do not progress faster when exposed to air. Exposure of tumor to air does not make the tumor grow faster or spread to distant places. 8.Does the use of cell phone induce cancer? No. Although there is no best scientific research in this area, it is not possible to find out the cause of cancer. Although there is no best scientific research in this area, we know that tumors are caused by genetic mutations, and the low frequency energy emitted from cell phones does not cause genetic damage. 9.Can electric wires cause cancer? No. There is no good research on this. Although there is no good scientific research to prove this problem, we understand that the electromagnetic energy emitted by electric wires can be easily shielded or attenuated by walls and other objects, and it is a kind of low-frequency radiation, which does not damage human genes. 10. Can herbs cure cancer? No. Besides China, other countries and regions have their own herbal medicines. Herbs are often used as an alternative therapy or adjuvant treatment, and some studies suggest that herbs help alleviate the side effects caused by anti-tumor treatments, but no herbal product has yet shown definite efficacy in oncology treatment. In fact, some herbal medicines can affect the effectiveness of chemoradiotherapy due to drug-drug interactions. It is necessary for patients to tell their doctors what other “drugs”, including vitamins and herbs, you are using in addition to what is prescribed by your doctor. 11.If a family member has cancer, will I get cancer too? Not necessarily. Cancer is caused by genetic damage (mutation) and only about 5-10% of cancers are related to the mutation inherited from parents. This cancer is called “familial” or “hereditary” cancer. The remaining 90-95% of patients are “non-hereditary” or “spontaneous”, and the risk of cancer increases with age and exposure to carcinogens in the environment, such as tobacco and radiation. 12.If no one in my family has cancer, does it mean I am not at risk? No, it does not. Recent data shows that about 40% of people are diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. Most cancers are caused by continuous exposure to carcinogens such as tobacco and radiation over the course of life, and the risk of developing cancer increases with age. The type and amount of food you eat and whether or not you like to exercise will also affect your risk of cancer. 13. Can antiperspirants or deodorants cause breast cancer? No. To date, the best studies have not found that the chemicals in antiperspirants or deodorants cause changes in breast tissue. 14. Does the use of hair dyes increase the risk of cancer? There is no conclusive evidence that hair dyes increase the risk of cancer. However, studies have shown that barbers and hairdressers who are exposed to large amounts of hair dye or other chemicals over a long period of time have an increased risk of developing bladder cancer.