Exceptional UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Cancer Facts & Myths Ally Postlethwait RN, BSN,OCN Nurse Navigator, Head and Neck Oncology

Source: American Cancer Society, 2012.

What is Cancer? Cancer is a disease where cells grow out of control & invade, erode & destroy normal cells.

How Does Cancer Spread? All cancers start because abnormal cells grow out of control. Cancer is the general name of more than 100 diseases There are over 200 different cancers that can occur anywhere in the body.

What is a Tumor? Benign Tumors Malignant Tumors Metastatic Disease

What are the most common cancers? Breast Lung Colo-Rectal GI

How is Cancer Treated? Surgery Watch and wait Chemotherapy Radiation Therapy Stem cell transplant Hormonal therapy

Is Cancer a Death Sentence? 5 year survival now extends 90% Many factors include staging at time of diagnosis. Overall health is important Effective treatments available

True or False? If you get cancer it’s usually because someone in your family had cancer? Answer: False. Half of men and one- third of women in the US will get cancer at some point. But only about 1 in 20 cases is linked to gene from parents.

True or False? Heavy drinking can raise your chances of getting cancer? Answer: True Drinking alcohol may make you more likely to get mouth, liver, colon, breast, and other cancers. The more you drink, the higher your risk.

True or False? Artificial sweeteners can cause cancer. Answer: False There’s no evidence that the sweeteners in those little pink, blue, yellow or green packets cause cancer.

True or False? Antiperspirants make you more likely to get breast cancer. Answer: False. There are no strong studies and very little evidence to show that you have greater chance of getting breast cancer if you use deodorant.

Which food is linked to colon cancer? Tofu Lunchmeat Oysters Answer: Lunchmeat. People who eat a lot of processed meats such as hotdogs and lunchmeat are more likely to get colon cancer because of the nitrates.

Which of these may help ease nausea in people getting cancer treatment? Acupuncture Ear candling Magnetic therapy Answer: Acupuncture can help with nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy. It can also help with mouth dryness.

For most cancers, a biopsy can cause cancer cells to spread? Answer: False During a biopsy, a doctor takes a small sample of tissue from your body to check it for cancer. With most cancers, it’s very unlikely that this procedure will cause cancer to spread.

What can you do to lower your chance of getting cancer? Avoid stress Nothing Exercise Answer: Exercise, along with healthy eating and weight control can make you less likely to get certain cancers including breast and colon.

Other Facts or Myths Will eating sugar make my cancer worse? Is cancer contagious Do cell phones cause cancer? Does hair dye cause cancer? Does the ingredient sodium lauryl sulfate pose a cancer risk to shampoo users?

What Causes Cancer? Smoking Genetic mutation Exposure to the sun Diet Immunity disorders Exposure to chemicals/radiation Viruses (HPV, EBV, HIV)

Can Cancer Be Prevented? Not using tobacco products Choosing foods with less fat Regular exercise Wear sunscreen Be aware of risk factors Early detection

Treating Patients with All Types of Cancer The N.C. Cancer Hospital