Is a cancer diagnosis the same as a death sentence? Is the tumor contagious? Do cell phones cause cancer? Experts from the American National Cancer Institute have given scientific explanations to these and other questions, dispelling clichés and prejudices. Here are their answers.
Is cancer contagious?
No, in no way can a tumor be transmitted from one person to another. The only exception is the organ donation: although it is a very rare event (approximately 2 cases every 10 thousand transplants), it has happened that patients who had received organ transplants from people who had previously had cancer later became ill with cancer themselves. Precisely for this reason, doctors today carefully avoid using organs from individuals with a history of cancer for transplants. Another matter is that of tumors which are caused by a virus, such as the Papillomavirus or HPV (responsible for cancer of the uterine cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus and oropharynx, pre-cancerous lesions and genital warts), hepatitis B and C or by bacteria, such as Helicobacter pylori (cause of stomach cancer). If the fact remains that even these tumors cannot be “infected” from one person to another, viruses and bacteria can instead be transmitted.
Is a cancer diagnosis the same as a death sentence?
No, the probability of dying from cancer has steadily decreased over the last few decades. Recovering from cancer or living with a tumor for years, as happens with other chronic diseases, is now possible. It happens more and more often, even in Italy, where there are over three and a half million people living after a cancer diagnosis. In particular for some types of neoplasms (such as those of the breast, prostate or thyroid) over 90% of patients And I am alive five years after diagnosis and on average this “fateful threshold” is reached by 65% of patients. At the end of the 1970s only just over 30% of people affected by cancer beat the disease and in the 1990s almost 47%. There are forms of cancer that still very often remain lethal today and, in any case, each patient is a story in itself: his chances of recovering permanently or how long he will remain alive depend on many variables, such as the precise type of neoplasm, whether it is aggressive or not, whether it has already spread to other organs or not, the person’s general state of health, the availability of effective treatments, and more.
Do cell phones cause cancer?
Not according to the scientific studies conducted so far: to date there is no evidence. The topic of the link between cell phones and tumors is highly debated and has been discussed since the 1990s. The World Health Organization has classified radio frequencies in group 2b of “possible carcinogens”, but various epidemiological studies have excluded connections.
Can a mental attitude (positive or negative) influence the chances of getting sick or recovering?
To date there is no scientific evidence to suggest that the psyche can influence cancer, or that stress causes cancer. It is normal for patients to feel sad, angry, discouraged and it is certain that a positive attitude can help them live the difficult period better before, during and after treatment. This is why it is important that, together with the disease, the psychological well-being of patients is also taken care of.
If one of my family members has had cancer, will I have it too?
Not necessarily. Tumors are caused by genetic mutations which only in very few cases can be “transmitted” within the family unit. Most people with an immediate family member (parent, brother or sister, but also grandparents or uncles) who has had cancer he runs no greater dangers to the rest of the population and only a minority of cases can be classified as hereditary. Most cancers are due to other causes, such as mutations that occur over the course of an individual’s life as a result ofaging or exposure to “environmental factors” (from smoking to poor nutrition, from radiation to carcinogenic pollutants, for example at work). To date, some hereditary genetic mutations are known (such as those of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes) that increase the risk of developing cancer for which specific tests already exist and are recommended to people considered at risk.
AND However, if there have never been cases of cancer in my family, does this mean that I am not at risk?
No. In 2022, almost 400 thousand new cases of cancer were recorded in Italy and approximately 40% of people will have to deal with a cancer diagnosis at some point in their lives. Much, however, can be done by each individual person to limit their risk of falling ill and to encourage early diagnosis, which contributes to significantly increasing the likelihood of recovery. The European code against cancer It consists of 12 simple daily actions to reduce your risk of developing cancer and that of your family members.
Does eating too much sugar make cancer worse?
No. Although research has clearly shown that cancer cells consume more sugar (glucose) than “healthy” cells, no study has so far documented that sweet foods can make a tumor worse or that if you stop eating them, the lesion will become smaller. No relationship has ever been established between sweeteners and cancer: the various investigations conducted have not identified links. Instead, we must keep in mind that a diet with a high sugar content (and we must also pay attention to sugary drinks, which are increasingly widespread) can contribute to make you gain weight and extra pounds are a risk factor for several types of cancer.
Are there herbs or “natural” products that can cure tumors?
No. Some scientific studies indicate that some complementary therapies (such as yoga, meditation or acupuncture) can help patients better manage the side effects of anti-cancer treatments, but in no way can herbs or other “natural” cures replace official treatments which have been shown to be effective: surgery, chemotherapy and other drug treatments, radiotherapy, immunotherapy. Indeed, it is essential to proceed with extreme caution because there are also phytotherapeutic remedies which, used in conjunction with other therapies (chemotherapy drugs, for example), can increase their effectiveness, and therefore toxicity, or on the contrary cancel their activity. In any case patients should discuss this with their oncologist to avoid having harm, even serious harm, instead of benefit.
Do deodorants cause breast cancer?
No. The most careful scientific studies conducted to date have found no evidence linking the chemical agents typically found in antiperspirants and deodorants and the onset of breast cancer.
Can the surgery (or biopsy) cause the tumor to spread to other organs?
The probability that an operation or biopsy will cause cancer cells to spread throughout the body, favoring the development of metastases, is extremely low: surgeons follow standard procedures and use “specific” methods, following very specific steps, precisely to prevent this from happening.
