The Top Misleading Facts About Cancer Causes

Cancer is one of the most searched terms on the internet. However, there are many misleading facts and misconceptions about what causes specific types of cancer that the public should be aware of. According to Doctor Jeff Yancey of the Cancer Learning Center at the University of Utah, "Tobacco, poor diet, exercise habits, certain infections, and UV exposure are among the leading causes of cancer. Many people will not drink from a plastic bottle for fear of cancer, but will spend twenty minutes in a tanning bed." Here are the top myths about what causes cancer.

Cell Phones Cause Cancer

While it is true that cell phones have not been around long enough for us to perform long-term fifty-year studies on their effects, most studies agree that you will not develop cancer from using your cell phone. A common misconception is that cell phones give off radioactive frequencies that may cause brain cancer as we spend so much time holding them to our heads. The truth is cell phones release a very low amount of radiofrequency and the risk of developing cancer is quite low.

Keep reading to find out another myth revolving around cancer causes.

Drinking Bottled Water Causes Cancer

A few years ago, every news media outlet reported on the dangers of keeping old water bottles in your car in fear of a possible cancer outbreak. This myth had everyone cleaning out their car and throwing away old water bottles, which might be good for the cleanliness of your car but does nothing for your risk of developing cancer. The fact is many water bottles are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) that have been tested and are safe to use. Therefore, stop fretting about drinking out of a water bottle, as it is not the worst thing for you to do regarding your health. If you are concerned, by a reusable water bottle that does not contain BPA and ditch the plastic (plus, it's better for the environment too).

Discover how eating sugar causes cancer...or does it?

Eating Sugar Causes Cancer

This myth is tricky as eating refined sugar does not directly cause cancer. However, it does increase your risk of obesity and Type II diabetes, which increases your risk of certain cancers. To be on the safe side, choose your sugar wisely. Refined sugar is highly inflammatory and aggravates just about every body system, while the naturally occurring sugar found in fruit is an excellent source of antioxidants to fight oxidative stress that may otherwise lead to cancer.

Continue reading to uncover if deodorant truly causes breast cancer.

Deodorant Increases Breast Cancer Risk

Some deodorants contain harsh chemicals that may not agree with the tender area of your underarm, but researchers at the National Institute of Health and National Cancer Institute have no evidence or reason to believe deodorant causes breast cancer. If you are worried about the chemicals in most store-bought deodorants, look for a brand without chemicals or make your own at home by using natural ingredients such as coconut oil, baking soda, and your favorite essential oils.

Reveal another common myth about how cancer spreads now.

Cancer Is Infectious

Cancer itself is not contagious, meaning you cannot catch cancer from someone else. However, you can become infected by certain viruses that may eventually cause cancer. The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease that has been shown to cause cervical cancer in women. It may also cause throat cancer in men. Hepatitis B and C has been shown to cause liver cancer and can be transmitted through sexual contact or the use of infected needles.

Explore another common myth many believe to be true when it comes to who gets cancer.

Bad People Get Cancer

This one might sound silly, but in ancient times people believed that only bad people were diagnosed with cancer. Back in the day, if you were diagnosed with cancer or another chronic disease, it was viewed as punishment for bad thoughts or actions. Although some religions today still hold this belief, there is no scientific evidence to prove a person will develop cancer because of their wrong or inappropriate actions or thoughts.

Is cancer hereditary? Find out if the next myth is true or not now.

Cancer Runs In Families

While certain genetic factors run in families and might increase your risk of developing cancer, there is no guarantee you will be cancer free just because no one in your family has developed the disease. Approximately seventy percent of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have no identifiable risk factors for the disease. A common misconception is that if your parents or siblings have not been diagnosed, you will not be either. Regular screenings for cancer should be part of your health regimen even if your family history is clean.

Keep reading to uncover another myth regarding breast cancer now.

Wearing Underwire Bras Increase Your Risk Of Breast Cancer

No one will deny wearing an underwire bra or tight clothing is uncomfortable, but there is no scientific evidence to show it causes cancer. Some myths that claim wearing a tight bra or a bra with an underwire compresses the lymphatic system, causing a buildup of toxins in the body are untrue. The fact is no type of bra or tight clothing has been associated with cancer of any kind, but you might want to avoid them strictly for comfort reasons.

Apparently, many believe that a woman's breast size can determine her chances of developing cancer. Discover if this fact is true or not, next.

Breast Size Determines The Likelihood Of Cancer

Breast cancer does not favor large breasts over small ones. So no matter what size bra you wear, it does not change your odds of developing breast cancer. Another common myth is that you cannot get breast cancer after having a mastectomy, which is a procedure in which the breasts are removed. Although having a prophylactic mastectomy decreases the risk of breast cancer by ninety percent, some women still have a small chance of developing the disease.

Just like the size of a woman's breasts, many individuals believe that certain factors can increase a man's chances of developing prostate cancer. Explore some of these myths now.

Vasectomies Cause Prostate Cancer

In 1993, men all around the world worried about their health when a credible and careful study by the Harvard Professionals Follow-up group indicated that men who had vasectomies were one and one-half times more likely to develop prostate cancer than men who had not. Since then, many studies have debunked the myth by failing to find a similar link. According to the National Cancer Institute and the American Urological Association, having a vasectomy does not increase a man’s risk of prostate cancer. Therefore, if a man would like to have the procedure done, he does not need to worry about developing prostate cancer for taking control of his reproductive options.