Never had cancer before! 7 far from reality myths about the fight against cancer

Myth 1. Cancer diagnosis is a sentence

No one can accurately guarantee whether the disease will be cured or not. For the forecast affectStatistics in Oncology / Association of Cancer Patients "Hello!" the type of tumor, the organ in which it is located, the stage, the age of the patient, the general condition of his body before the diagnosis, and other factors. For example, breast cancer treatment started in the first or second stages, effectivelyBreast Cancer In most cases.

Russian researchers claimAcademician Andrei Kaprin: If cancer is detected at an early stage, then there is a high chance of cure / Science Russiathat at the stage of precancer the disease can almost always be cured. It is important to keep track of changes in the body in time to prevent the development of malignant neoplasms.

Myth 2. Chemotherapy does more harm than good

Such a method can indeed be observed side effectsSide effects and how to deal with them / Official portal of the Ministry of Health of Russia about oncological diseases: fatigue, nausea, hair loss, diarrhea, susceptibility to infections. But chemotherapy is still remainsChemotherapy / Official portal of the Russian Ministry of Health about oncological diseases one of the main ways to fight cancer.

There is no universal scheme that would suit all patients. Today, in the arsenal of specialists there are more than 100 drugsChemotherapy / Official portal of the Russian Ministry of Health about oncological diseases. They are used in different doses and combinations depending on the type of tumor in order to strike a balance between toxicity and efficacy. Treatment is carried out in courses, allowing the body to recover. In addition, the patient is often prescribed accompanying therapyRecommendations for maintenance and concomitant therapy / Russian Society of Clinical Oncology (RUSSCO), which reduces the manifestation of side effects, and sometimes even prevents them.

Myth 3. Cancer can be cured naturally

Most folk remedies have not been subjected to rigorous scientific research. Therefore, their effectiveness in the fight against cancer is highly questionable.

It is believed that "natural" components can not harm - hence the popularity of various compresses, decoctions and powders. But it's not. Even taking herbs can not only trigger an allergic reaction or gastrointestinal upset, but also negatively influenceAlternative Cancer Therapy / Russian Society of Clinical Oncology (RUSSCO) on the metabolism of anticancer drugs. In order not to lose time and not to "start" the disease, it is important to strictly follow the recommendations of a specialist.

Myth 4. Nobody had cancer before

About melanoma - skin cancer - mentionedChernenko P.A., Peterson S.B., Lyubchenko L.N. Clinical and molecular aspects of predisposition to the development of skin melanoma / ABV-press Publishing House even Hippocrates in the 5th century BC. Evidence of a tumor was discoveredThe mummy debunked the myth about the connection between technological progress and cancer / RIA Novosti at the mummy of the XVIII century, found by scientists in Hungary. People got sick, just high-quality diagnostic methods did not exist - for example, computed tomography came up withThe invention of computed tomography. Hounsfield and Cormack / Ilyinskaya Hospital only in the 1970s.

Most of the drugs and treatments known today were not there either. Therefore, the ancestors had little chance of surviving to a malignant tumor - even a common cold could have fatal consequences. The longer a person lives, the more likely they are to get cancer. Average ageOncologists called the average age of cancer diagnosis in Russia / RBC oncological diagnosis in Russia — 64.5 years. And life expectancy at the end of the 19th century wasPopulation of Russia for 100 years (1897‑1997) / Historical Materials only 30.5 years against today 70Demography / Rosstat - Federal State Statistics Service.

Myth 5. The disease is always inherited

Only in 7–10%Oncology: who is at risk / Department of abdominal oncology, St. Petersburg State Medical University. acad. I.P. Pavlova all cases. That is, if your relative was diagnosed with a malignant tumor, this does not mean that you will definitely get sick. Only certain genetic mutations increase the susceptibility to cancer. For example, changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes connectedMutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes / Official website of the RUSSCO Program “Improvement molecular genetic diagnostics in the Russian Federation in order to increase the efficiency anticancer treatment" with a hereditary syndrome of breast and ovarian cancer. A mutation in the PTEN gene raisesGenetic testing / Association of Cancer Patients Hello! the risk of developing tumors of the thyroid gland, endometrium and breast.

If among close relatives there were several occasionsWhen should genetic testing be done? / Association of Cancer Patients "Hello!" oncological diseases, it is worth undergoing genetic testing. It may show the presence of dangerous mutations, but this still does not mean that a person will get sick. In such situations, you need to focus on prevention - give up bad habits and regularly undergo screenings.

Myth 6. Cancer can be contracted

It's impossible. The disease is not transmitted by airborne droplets, household or some other way. But some viruses and bacteria can increaseCancer / World Health Organization the likelihood of developing a tumor. These include:

• Helicobacter pylori. Increases risk developmentFrequently asked questions about cancer / Official portal of the Russian Ministry of Health about oncological diseases ulcers and stomach cancer.
• Hepatitis B and C viruses. They affect the condition of the liver.
• Human papilloma virus. Some strains of HPV are considered oncogenic. In such cases, the disease can affect the cervix, oral cavity, and pharynx.
• HIV infection. It can cause the development of malignant neoplasms of lymphoid, hematopoietic tissues and other tumors.

To prevent illness, it is important to take precautions and regularly examine. For example, hepatitis C is most often transmittedHepatitis C / Hepatology Center in Moscow through the blood. You can even get a virus in a tattoo parlor or a nail parlor, so you need to carefully choose a master who uses sterile tools. human papillomavirus appliesCervical Cancer / World Health Organization to STDs. You can reduce the risk of infection if you avoid intimate contact with unfamiliar people and use protective equipment.

Myth 7. Cancer prevention does not exist

You definitely can decreaseHow to prevent cancer / Official portal of the Ministry of Health of Russia about oncological diseases chance of getting cancer. It is important to give up alcohol and nicotine, eat a variety of foods, exercise and protect your skin from the sun - experts considerHow to prevent cancer / Official portal of the Ministry of Health of Russia about oncological diseasesthat it can reduce the risk of developing cancer by up to 70%.

Regular screenings are also important - they help to detect cancer at an early stage, when the disease does not yet make itself felt. For example, women over 18 needHow to prevent cancer / Official portal of the Ministry of Health of Russia about oncological diseases once every three years, take a smear for cytology from the cervix, and after 40 - also once every two years to undergo a mammogram. Men at this age should be regularly screened for prostate cancer. In addition, from the age of 40, everyone must be screened for lung, stomach and colorectal cancer. The exact list of studies can be clarified in the clinic.