Cancer is a terminal disease in most people’s minds, and people are afraid of talking about it. At the same time, there are many rumors and misconceptions about this kind of dangerous disease. Myth 1: Cancer is contagious Correct: Tumors are not contagious, but are affected by common life style There are often reports of “brother cancer”, “husband and wife cancer”, “father and son cancer”, and so on. Does it mean that cancer cells can spread through different ways like viruses and bacteria? From the results of epidemiological studies, the proportion of family members suffering from cancer together accounts for about 5% of the total incidence of cancer, but this does not mean that cancer is contagious. However, it should be noted that the development of tumor is the result of multiple factors, which include environment, diet, spirit and many other factors. Couples, brothers, fathers and sons and other family members live together for a long time, and their living environment and eating habits are close to each other. If there are situations such as unreasonable dietary structure and poor living habits, it is possible to increase the chance of common disease. On the other hand, if a family member has cancer, it will more or less increase the mental burden of other family members, and in the long run, the immunity of other family members may be reduced and the chance of disease will be increased. Myth 2: Tumors are hereditary Correct: Genetic factors have a certain role, but 80% of them are related to poor lifestyle The occurrence of tumors does have a certain role of genetic factors, even some cancers, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, have obvious family aggregation, but this is not a direct genetic cancer, and people with family history of tumors do not mean that they will definitely suffer from tumors. The development of tumor is the result of multi-factor combination. 80% of tumors are caused by bad lifestyle, so we should keep good mental state, strengthen physical exercise, enhance physical fitness, improve bad living habits, prohibit smoking and limit alcohol, and improve cancer prevention awareness, which can reduce the incidence of tumor. Misconception 3: Seek Chinese medicine only when western medicine treatment is not effective Correct: synchronization of Chinese medicine with western medicine treatment is effective Many tumor patients seek Chinese medicine treatment only when they reach advanced stage, when the tumor load is too large and when multiple organ failure is combined, which is just like blocking a cart with a mantle and hardly effective. The treatment of TCM should be intervened as early as possible and can only work when the body can absorb and metabolize normally. The advantages of TCM treatment are not only in the late stage, but should be involved in all stages of cancer. For example, post-operative treatment based on TCM to support and cultivate the root can improve the immunity of the body and promote the recovery of the function of internal organs, which has certain advantages in preventing tumor recurrence and metastasis; during radiotherapy treatment, TCM can minimize the occurrence of side effects; patients in middle and late stages receiving TCM treatment can play a role in delaying tumor development and improving symptoms. Myth 4: Western medicine treatment is traumatic and pure Chinese medicine is better Correct: It is better to combine Chinese and Western medicine. Tumor patients are panic and afraid when they hear surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, thinking that the traumatic treatment will make their body unable to bear it and even accelerate the progress of the disease. While TCM is non-invasive, it is better to choose TCM. Chinese medicine treatment often plays the role of inhibiting cancer cells by mobilizing the immune function of the body. The role of Western medicine for tumor treatment should not be neglected as well. For most cancers, especially the early stage of cancer, the most effective treatment at present is surgical treatment. Patients should not choose a more favorable treatment method just because they do not know about the treatment method. Whether and to what extent to use TCM treatment requires specific analysis of each problem. For example, for advanced patients who are older, in poor condition, with better cell differentiation, slow tumor progression and inoperable, they can be treated with TCM alone; however, for malignant tumors, many clinical experiences have proved that single treatment is less ideal, instead, integrated treatment of Chinese and Western medicine in multiple disciplines is more effective. Myth 5: Taking anti-tumor Chinese medicine frequently can prevent cancer Correct: Therapeutic medicine cannot be used to prevent tumor Many people talk about cancer, especially those who have a family history of tumor, and always actively seek ways to prevent cancer, and there are many people who take anti-tumor Chinese medicine for a long time. This practice is incorrect. Modern pharmacological research does show that C. alba, C. semifolium, C. semifolium and C. erythrocephala have anti-tumor effects, but these are commonly used by oncologists in clinical settings for group medication and are not preventive medications. The occurrence and development of cancer is a complex process with multifactorial effects, which cannot be prevented by a single anti-tumor. On the other hand, Chinese medicine has differences of warm, hot, cold, four qi and five tastes. It should be tailored to the patient’s physique, to the person, to the time and to the place in order to achieve real curative effect. “Changing bad lifestyle, maintaining good mental state, strengthening physical exercise, enhancing physical fitness, raising awareness of cancer prevention and having regular health checkups are the scientific methods.” He said.