7/18/22, 1:44 PM
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`Cancer treatment myths: Any truth to these common beliefs? - Mayo Clinic
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`Cancer treatment myths: Any truth to
`these common beliefs?
`
`Misconceptions about cancer treatment might make you feel confused or unsure when
`choosing a treatment. Learn the truth so that you can feel more comfortable with your
`cancer treatment.
`
`By Mayo Clinic Staff
`
`Research advances have improved cancer treatment to make it more effective and to reduce side
`effects. Yet some misleading ideas about cancer treatment still persist. Here's a look at common
`misconceptions about cancer treatment and explanations to help you understand the truth.
`Truth: There's no scientific proof that a positive attitude gives you an advantage in cancer
`treatment or improves your chance of being cured.
`
`What a positive attitude can do is improve the quality of your life during cancer treatment and
`beyond. You may be more likely to stay active, maintain ties to family and friends, and continue
`social activities. In turn, this may enhance your feeling of well-being and help you find the strength
`to deal with your cancer.
`Truth: Finding the cure for cancer is proving to be more complex than mastering the engineering
`and physics required for spaceflight.
`
`Cancer actually includes a large group of diseases. Each person's cancer may have many different
`causes. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, doctors still have much to learn about what
`triggers a cell to become cancerous and why some people who have cancer do better than others.
`
`In addition, cancer is a moving target. Cancer cells may continue to mutate and change during the
`course of the disease. This may lead to the cancer cells no longer responding to the chemotherapy
`drugs or radiation treatments that were given initially.
`Truth: Your doctor and the FDA, which must approve new drugs before they can be given to
`people who aren't enrolled in clinical trials, are your allies. As such, they make your safety a high
`priority.
`
`Unfortunately, scientific studies to determine the safety and effectiveness of new cancer treatments
`take time. That may create the appearance or lead to reports that effective new treatments are
`
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`7/18/22, 1:44 PM
`being blocked.
`
`Cancer treatment myths: Any truth to these common beliefs? - Mayo Clinic
`
`Doctors often go into cancer research because they have a family member or friend affected by
`the disease. They are as interested in finding a cure as anyone else, for the same reason — it
`affects them personally. They hate to see a loved one in pain and don't wish to lose this person.
`They also want to spare others what they have gone through.
`Truth: Although regular medical care can indeed increase the ability to detect cancer early, it can't
`guarantee it. Cancer is a complicated disease, and there's no sure way to always spot it.
`
`Routine screening has been linked to a decrease in deaths from cancers of the prostate, cervix,
`breast, lung, colon and rectum.
`Truth: Most people who have cancer are treated on an outpatient basis in their home
`communities.
`
`At times it may be helpful to travel to a specialty medical center for treatment. But often, doctors at
`such a medical center can work with doctors in your hometown so that you can be with your family
`and friends.
`
`Sometimes, people may desire to take time away from work to focus on health. Many times it is
`possible to resume or continue to work.
`
`A lot of research has gone into making it easier for people to live more-normal lives during their
`cancer treatment. For example, drugs are now available to help better control nausea and exercise
`programs are encouraged. The result is that you're often able to work and stay active during your
`treatment.
`Truth: Some cancers never cause pain.
`
`For people who do experience cancer pain, especially people who have advanced cancer, doctors
`have become more aware of the need to control such pain and have learned better ways to
`manage it. Although all pain may not be eliminated, the goal is to control the pain so that it has little
`impact on your daily routine.
`Truth: For most types of cancer, there's no conclusive evidence that a needle biopsy — a
`procedure used to diagnose many types of cancer — causes cancer cells to spread.
`
`There are exceptions, though, of which doctors and surgeons are aware. For instance, a needle
`biopsy usually isn't used in diagnosing testicular cancer. Instead, if a doctor suspects testicular
`cancer, the testicle is removed.
`Truth: There is no evidence that indicates surgery can cause cancer to spread. Don't delay or
`refuse treatment because of this myth. Surgically removing cancer is often the first and most
`important treatment.
`
`Some people may believe this myth because they feel worse during recovery than they did before
`surgery.
`
`Feedback
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`7/18/22, 1:44 PM
`Cancer treatment myths: Any truth to these common beliefs? - Mayo Clinic
`Truth: Your doctor tailors your treatment to you. What treatment you receive depends on where
`your cancer is, whether or how much it has spread, how it's affecting your body functions, your
`general health, and other factors.
`
`More and more, cancer treatment is being tailored based on genetic testing on your cancer cells.
`Specific changes or mutations in your cancer cells may help guide your treatment. Also, cancer
`treatments may depend on the genes that you're born with. Certain genes may show that your
`body processes certain chemotherapy treatments and drugs differently than someone else's body.
`Truth: It's up to you whether you want to treat your cancer. You can decide this after consulting
`with your doctor and learning about your options.
`
`A person who has cancer might choose to forgo treatment if he or she has:
`A slow-growing cancer. Some people who have cancer might not have any signs or
`symptoms. Lab tests might reveal that the cancer is growing very slowly. These people might
`choose to wait and watch the cancer. If it suddenly begins growing more quickly, treatment is
`always an option.
`Other medical conditions. If you have other significant illnesses, you may choose not to treat
`your cancer, as the cancer may not be the biggest threat to your health. This may be especially
`true in the case of a slow-growing cancer.
`A late-stage cancer. If the burden of treatment side effects outweighs the benefit that
`treatment can bring, you might choose not to be treated. But that doesn't mean your doctor will
`abandon you. Your doctor can still provide comfort measures, such as pain relief.
`Show References
`
`1. Attitudes and cancer. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-basics/attitudes-and-cancer.html.
`Accessed Feb. 3, 2020.
`
`2. Cheng CT, et al. Cancer-coping profile predicts long-term psychological functions and quality of life in cancer survivors.
`Supportive Care in Cancer. 2019; doi:10.1007/s00520-018-4382-z.
`
`3. Stubblefield MD. Cancer Rehabilitation: Principles and Practice. 2nd ed. Demos Medical; 2018.
`
`4. Giridhar K (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Feb. 4, 2020.
`
`5. Siegel RL, et al. An assessment of progress in cancer control. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2018;
`doi:10.3322/caac.21460.
`
`6. Van Everdingen MHJ, et al. Update on prevalence of pain in patients with cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
`Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2016; doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2015.12.340.
`
`7. Common cancer myths and misconceptions. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-
`prevention/risk/myths. Accessed Feb. 3, 2020.
`
`8. Steele GS, et al. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis and staging of testicular germ cell tumors.
`https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 3, 2020.
`
`9. Lissoni P, et al. The personalization of cancer cure: Reality or illusion. Journal of Medical Oncology. 2018;1:9.
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`Cancer treatment myths: Any truth to these common beliefs? - Mayo Clinic
`7/18/22, 1:44 PM
`10. Van Hemelrijck M, et al. Quantifying the transition from active surveillance to watchful waiting among men with very low-
`risk prostate cancer. European Urology. 2016; doi:10.1016/j.eururo.2016.10.031.
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`March 22, 2022
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`Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer/art-20046762
`
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`https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer/art-20046762?p=1
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`Feedback
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