Rumor 1: Haze is the main cause of the current high incidence of lung cancer in China.
Truth: Air pollution, including haze, is undoubtedly a lung cancer risk factor that must be addressed. However, since it takes an average of 20 years for lung cancer to occur, the current high incidence of lung cancer cannot be due to the haze of the last few years. If haze causes cancer, it must be 20 years before it breaks out.
The main reason for the current high incidence of lung cancer in China is simple: smoking. The main reason for the high incidence of lung cancer in China is simple: smoking. Because China has 1/3 of the world’s smokers.
Rumor 2: Acidic bodies cause cancer, including lung cancer.
The truth: Among the rumors about cancer, “acidic body causes cancer” is the most ridiculous, yet most widespread rumor. The “acidic body theory” is particularly intuitive, but it doesn’t make sense if you ditch your intuition and learn a little bit about biology or medicine.
If you look at your recent blood test, you will see that there is no such thing as a blood PH level. The reason is that everyone’s blood is slightly alkaline, strictly controlled between 7.35-7.45, and doesn’t need to be measured at all. If the blood is really acidic, people would have died long ago, and it is not even the turn to get cancer. The idea of eating something to influence blood PH levels is a fool’s errand.
We encourage people to eat leafy greens, which are certainly good for health, but definitely not because they change the pH of the body.
Rumor 3: You can’t get lung cancer if you don’t smoke.
The truth: There is no doubt that smoking, including secondhand smoke, is the most significant risk factor for lung cancer, but there are other causes.
For many non-smoking women in China, kitchen fumes, solid fuels (briquettes, firewood, etc.) are the main risk factors for lung cancer.
In addition to smoking, the second leading risk factor for lung cancer in the United States is radon, a colorless, odorless radioactive gas. It is usually found naturally in rocks and soil and may be released into the home for various reasons. If you are worried, you can find a relevant organization to test whether radon gas in your home or office exceeds the limit.
Rumor #4: “Light” and “low-tar” cigarettes are safer.
The truth: They are just as risky as regular cigarettes! The “light” and “low-tar” are just selling points for business hype, but they are not less harmful than regular cigarettes.
There are also cigarettes that have menthol added to them to make them feel cool and comfortable and healthy. But some studies have actually found that menthol cigarettes can be more dangerous, both because the cool feeling can make people smoke more and deeper, and because it can lead to stronger dependence and make it more difficult to quit.
Rumor #5: Cigars, unlike cigarettes, are not carcinogenic.
Truth: Like cigarettes, cigars increase the risk of lung, oral, esophageal, head and neck cancers, and other types of cancer. Also, like cigarettes, it makes people more susceptible to cardiovascular disease and various lung diseases.
So, don’t smoke cigars either.
Rumor 6: Antioxidant supplements can prevent and fight cancer.
Truth: Many people are superstitious about antioxidants, but there is actually no evidence that excessive supplementation with antioxidant supplements in addition to a normal diet can protect against cancer.
On the contrary, some studies have found that heavy use of certain antioxidant supplements, such as high amounts of beta-carotene, can instead put smokers at higher risk of lung cancer. Therefore, it is important to consult your doctor before supplementing with any supplements. You can’t rely on anecdotal recipes.
(Image from Station Cool Helo)
Rumor 7: “Superfoods” can cleanse the lungs and prevent cancer.
Truth: Many people always want to smoke and prevent cancer at the same time. Therefore, sweet potatoes, blueberries, broccoli, garlic, and even mange, dandelion, potato juice, and countless other foods are expected. The fact is, these claims are nothing more than commercial sales tactics, with no scientific basis whatsoever.
Eating more fruits and vegetables is beneficial, but expecting that eating a particular vegetable will prevent cancer is self-defeating.
Rumor 8: If you’ve ever smoked, nothing you can do will lower your lung cancer rate.
The truth: In fact, even if you used to smoke, you can still significantly reduce your cancer rate by maintaining a healthy lifestyle over time, such as exercising more, maintaining a healthy weight, and not drinking alcohol. Some studies have shown that people who maintain regular exercise habits are less likely to develop lung cancer, even if they are smokers. There is no need for strenuous exercise, just maintain a few hours of moderate intensity exercise each week.
Exercise is not only a great tool for preventing and fighting cancer, it also helps improve overall lung function while preventing heart disease, stroke and other serious illnesses. If the outdoor air is polluted, then do some indoor exercise.
Rumor 9: If you’re an old smoker, even quitting is too late to help.
Truth: The benefits of quitting smoking are almost immediate, regardless of how long you’ve been smoking.
Lungs can work better, and function can improve immediately. Also, the risk of lung cancer decreases over time as you quit smoking. Studies have shown that even among older smokers, the likelihood of getting lung cancer still drops by more than 50% after 10 years of quitting.
(Image from Station Cool Helo)
Rumor 10: There is no point in quitting smoking if you already have lung cancer.
Truth: Most patients quit smoking the first time they got sick, but there are still individuals who are more stubborn.
Why are patients recommended to quit smoking? Because treatment is better and adverse effects can be lessened if smoking is stopped. For example, if early-stage lung cancer is present, the surgical cure rate is higher for people who quit smoking than for smokers. If the larynx needs radiation therapy, then patients who quit smoking are less likely to have hoarse throats.
It’s also important to note that quitting smoking reduces the incidence of secondary tumors. You don’t want to cure one tumor and have the next one come along.
In summary, 90% of lung cancers are related to smoking, and by quitting and maintaining healthy habits, the risk of lung cancer drops dramatically. This is true for anyone, no matter what.