Is cancer a death sentence? Can “X” cause cancer? We sift through common beliefs and popular television/social media claims; learn whether research backs it up.
There are lots of popular ideas about how cancer starts and spreads that make a lot of sense. However, many of these claims have no scientific basis, even after numerous studies. This week we are the MythBusters for some frequently asked questions about cancer. Wrong ideas about cancer can lead to needless worry and even interfere with good prevention and treatment decisions.
In This Episode:
- 01:48.3 – Recipe of the Week: Connecticut-Nutmeg and Pizza
- 03:44.4 – Famous People’s Last Words Before Death
- 06:32.3 – Common Cancer Myths & Misconceptions, What Does the Research Say?
- Is Cancer a Death Sentence? – How to understand 5-year survival rates
- Will Eating Sugar Make My Cancer Worse?
- Is Cancer Contagious?
- What is the Role of My Attitude in Getting or Surviving Cancer?
- Can Surgery or Biopsy Cause Cancer to Spread?
- Will Cancer Get Worse If Exposed to Air?
- Do Cell Phones Cause Cancer?
- Do Power Lines Cause Cancer?
- If Someone in My Family Has Cancer, Will I get it Too?
- Am I Risk-Free if No One In My Family Had Cancer?
- Do Anti-Perspirants or Deodorants Cause Breast Cancer?
- Does Talcum Powder Cause Cancer?
- Do Artificial Sweeteners Cause Cancer?
- 20:31.6 – Dr Jeanna Ford – Cancer Misconceptions
- 37:50.5 – Outro
The Top Questions
One of the most common fears both Dr. Matzo and our guest Dr. Ford have heard is that cancer is a death sentence. The survival rate for cancers have increased dramatically since the 1990’s. Listen to learn about the factors that influence survival, and how to understand cancer survival rates. Marianne goes through several common questions, and whether current research has found any reason to believe the claims.
The Role of Research
There are many common ideas of what causes cancer and what makes it worse. Some may make a lot of sense. Others can be dispelled with a bit more understanding of how cells are damaged. We have talked a lot about the role of research to explore a cause and effect. When several studies do not show that something causes cancer, we can help dispel the myths, some of which have been circulating for years.
So How Do You Know What’s True?
UK-Based Cancer Research has a really good guide: Sorting fact from fiction: A guide to spotting health misinformation. Take a look at it for guidelines to evaluate what you see on social media or the television.
What we do know is there are several risk factors and lifestyle choice factors that contribute to the risk of cancer. Please listen to our first episode in the series to learn what all these are and what you can do to reduce your risk in the future.
Our Guest: Dr. Jeanna Ford DNP, APRN, ACNS-BC, ACHPN, FPCN, FCNS
Dr. Jeanna Ford is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the field of palliative care and hospice. Dr. Ford is a national speaker, published author, and focuses her clinical expertise in the area of cultural sensitivity at the end of life with an emphasis on indigenous populations. She currently works as the Clinic Director and APRN for the University of New Mexico Hospital’s outpatient palliative care program as well as serves as faculty for the Center to Advance Palliative Care and for the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association.
Dr. Ford shares her perspective from her work in hospice and palliative care, including Native American and Hispanic communities.
Related Episodes:
- S5E45: Why Does Cancer Exist? Empower Yourself With Understanding
- S5E46: “Why Do I Have Cancer?” Kismet, Chastisement or Coincidence?
- S5E4: Inflammation: What it is, How It Causes Disease, and How You Can Decrease It
- S1E23: Support Groups
- S4E21: Don’t Call it a Battle: Why We Need to Change our Metaphors for Serious Illness
- S1E15: What people with serious illness want (Part 2)
- S5E26: Food as Medicine- How to Improve Health through the Right Diet
- S5E24: What is the Gut Microbiome, and Why Is it Important?
- S5E25: The Important Role of the Microbiome to Your Health and Immune Function
References:
- Common Cancer Myths and Misconceptions – NCI
- 45 Fun Facts About Connecticut You Probably Don’t Know
- State Foods: The Official Foods of All 50 States in America
Resources:
- Understanding Cancer Survival Rates
- Cancer Types | This Is Living With Cancer | Official Site
- Cancer Resources – Chemocare
- Cancer Information & Resources | Understand Cancer Together®
- Who We Are – Stupid Cancer
- Cancer Guide: 2023 PRCG Summer.indd
- Sorting fact from fiction: A guide to spotting health misinformation.
- First We Bombed New Mexico (a documentary mentioned by Dr. Ford)
Recipe of the Week:
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Have you ever heard of New Haven Pizza – or “ah-beetz“? This Connecticut specialty began with immigrants from Italy’s Naples region, passed down through generations. The high-protein crust is crisped on the edges by a coal fire, topped with fresh ingredients. This recipe gives you the secret to your own crust – try cooking the pizza on a charcoal grill for the wood-fired taste!
https://blog.feedspot.com/palliative_care_podcasts/
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