Key takeaways
- Many myths exist around cancer, which can make us change our behaviours or feel judged if we do get cancer
- Not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight through eating a healthy diet and keeping active, are the most effective ways to reduce your cancer risk
- There are myths about using plastic containers or antiperspirant and deodorants causing cancer. There are no strong studies for either claim.
- Cervical and bowel screening in particular are subject to common misconceptions about their purpose
There are many myths around cancer: who gets it, what causes it and why cancer happens to some and not others. Myths can make us change our behaviours when we don’t need to, and can make us feel judged or blamed if we are diagnosed with cancer. When discussing cancer risk reduction there are even more misconceptions, but we do know that not smoking, followed by maintaining a healthy weight through eating a healthy diet and keeping active, are the most effective ways to reduce your risk. In this article, Perci’s Lead Cancer Nurse Specialist, Rachel Rawson, challenges the most common cancer myths that appear on social media and in the press.
Myth one: you are more likely to get cancer if someone in your family has been diagnosed
Approximately one in two of us will be diagnosed in our lifetime, so it’s not unusual to have a close family member with cancer. Cancer is not usually inherited, but there are some types, mainly breast, ovarian, bowel and prostate cancer, that can be strongly influenced by genes and can run in families. Others, such as cervical cancer and lung cancer, are less likely to be related to an inherited altered gene. If you are concerned about cancer in your family, it can be helpful to look at your family tree and talk to your GP.
Myth two: deodorants or antiperspirants cause breast cancer
Although this question is regularly asked, there are no strong studies in people that link breast cancer risk and antiperspirant or deodorant use. Some people have also claimed that aluminium in antiperspirants can increase your risk, but again, there’s no convincing evidence of a link between breast cancer and deodorants, antiperspirants or their ingredients.
Myth three: Only older men get prostate cancer
Many people think that prostate cancer only affects older men. If you’re under 50 it’s possible to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, but it’s uncommon. Prostate cancer mainly affects men over 50 and your risk increases as you get older. The average age to be diagnosed is 65–69.
Myth four: cervical screening tests for ovarian cancer
Cervical screening only checks the neck of the womb (the cervix) and can’t check for ovarian cancer. Currently, there is no routine test for ovarian cancer. The best way to detect it is by being aware of the symptoms, some of which can be the same as other, less serious conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome. The five main symptoms of ovarian cancer are:
- A swollen tummy or feeling constantly bloated (not bloating that comes and goes)
- Pain or tenderness in your tummy or the area between the hips (pelvis)
- No appetite or feeling full quickly after eating
- An urgent need to wee or needing to wee more often
As with all things, it’s important to have anything different or new checked by your GP.
Myth five: bowel cancer screening is only necessary for those who have symptoms
As early bowel cancer usually has no symptoms, it’s important to complete your bowel cancer screening test when it’s sent to you through the post. Screening is designed to detect bowel cancer when it is at an early stage in people with no symptoms.
Bowel screening begins at slightly different ages across the UK. In England, the age when bowel screening begins is gradually being reduced from 60 to 50. In Scotland, screening starts from age 50. In Wales, screening starts from age 55 and in Northern Ireland it’s available for people over the age of 60.
If you’re worried about symptoms you are having that might be associated with bowel cancer, or if you have a family history of the disease, it’s important to tell your GP.
Myth six: only people who smoke get lung cancer
Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. This means smokers and those who have smoked in the past have an increased risk of getting lung cancer. However, an estimated 28% of lung cancer cases aren’t caused by smoking. Long-term exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution and chemicals, such as asbestos, have also been identified as some of the contributing factors to lung cancer in non-smokers.
The most common symptoms of lung cancer are:
- Having a new cough or a cough most of the time
- Getting out of breath doing the things you used to do without a problem
- Coughing up phlegm (sputum) with blood in it
- Having an ache or pain in the chest or shoulder
- Chest infections that keep coming back or a chest infection that doesn’t get better
- Losing your appetite
- Feeling tired all the time (fatigue)
- Losing weight
It’s important to have anything different or new checked by your GP.
Myth seven: using plastic bottles and food containers causes cancer
Using plastic bottles or containers does not cause cancer. Many people worry that chemicals seeping into the contents of plastic drink bottles, cling film and food containers, can cause cancer. While some studies have shown that a very small amount of chemicals in plastic packaging can get into drinks or food when heated, these amounts have been well within safe limits, which are strictly regulated in the UK.
Myth eight: psychological stress is a cause of cancer
Although stress does not directly increase cancer risk, we will all have stressful times in our life and it can be harder to keep healthy during these times. Stress can sometimes lead us to behave in unhealthy ways, such as smoking, overeating or drinking more than usual – behaviours which do increase the risk of many cancers. If you’re under stress, it’s important to try to find other ways of coping, such as doing physical activity or finding a talking therapy that can support you.
While we have ensured that every article is medically reviewed and approved, information presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to one of our healthcare professionals or your primary healthcare team.
References
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Antiperspirants and Breast Cancer Risk, cancer.org, October 2022, https://www.cancer.org/healthy/cancer-causes/chemicals/antiperspirants-and-breast-cancer-risk.html
‘Separating fact from fiction: Revealing the truth behind common prostate cancer myths.’, prostatecanceruk.org, July 2019, https://prostatecanceruk.org/about-us/news-and-views/2019/7/prostate-cancer-mythbusting
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‘Does using plastic bottles and containers cause cancer?’, cancerresearchuk.org, December 2021, https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/cancer-myths/does-using-plastic-bottles-and-containers-cause-cancer
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