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Health Rumours About Cancer – Busted Or Confirmed

By Dr. Kanika Batra Modi in Cancer Care / Oncology

Nov 07 , 2020 | 3 min read

Does promscuity cause cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is the cancer of the cervix which is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Primarily, it is caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) association – the oncogenic strains in over 95% cases of cervical cancer.

The association between sexual activity and the occurrence of cervical cancer was established in the last century. Although, HPV is considered a necessary but not sufficient cause of cervical cancer. Most of the women develop an immune mechanism to clear out the viral load by developing antibodies. In a fraction of those affected, HPV incorporates within the genome and causes mutagenic transformation of the affected cells. So, promiscuity doesn’t per se cause

cervical cancer, but promotes HPV infection which has a direct association with cervical cancer.

Does obesity cause cancer?

Obesity has been associated with induction of a chronic inflammatory state in the body which can cause cancer by direct and indirect mechanisms. Various cancers that have been seen at an increased incidence like breast, endometrial,

esophageal, gall bladder, bowel, pancreatic, liver, kidney etc. the exact reasons are obscure.

Only women get breast cancer?

Although rare, men also get breast cancer at best cancer hospital in delhi. The breast tissue in men is smaller than that in women, but the nature of the tissue in an adult male breast is like that of a breast of a girl before puberty. The reason for contention in male breast

cancer is that they are diagnosed at a later stage compared to women due to a low index of suspicion. Also, because of the amount of tissue is less it makes it difficult to detect these cancers early and they also spread more quickly to the surrounding tissues.

Following are the risk factors for male breast cancer

Breast cancer in a close female relative
History of radiation exposure of the chest
Enlargement of male breasts (called gynecomastia) from drug or hormone treatments, or even some infections and poisons
A rare genetic condition called Klinefelter's syndrome
Severe liver disease, called liver cirrhosis
Diseases of the testicles such as mumps orchitis , a testicular injury, or an undescended testicle

Do cellphone cause cancer?

Cell phones emit a form of energy known as radiofrequency (RF) waves, so the American Cancer Society has raised some safety concerns for its use. Although, these rays are the non-ionizing types and are not known to cause any direct damage. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified RF ‑elds as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” based on limited evidence of a possible increase in risk for brain tumours among cellphone users, and inadequate evidence for other types of cancer.

What is my risk of ovarian cancer if breast cancer and ovarian cancer runs in my family?

Inherited mutations in other genes can also cause breast and ovarian cancer, but BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the genes most commonly affected.

Breast cancer, especially at a younger age (age 50 or younger)
Triple negative breast cancer at age 60 or younger in women (Triple negative cancers are a type of breast cancer that lack estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2.)
Cancer in both breasts
Breast cancer in a male relative
Ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer
Pancreatic cancer or high grade prostate cancer
Breast, ovarian, pancreatic, or high grade prostate cancer among multiple blood relatives
A known BRCA mutation in the family

Breast cancer in young women

After all, under 7% of all breast cancer cases happen in women under 40. Delays in diagnosing breast cancer can cause problems. Many younger women ignore the warning signs -- such as a breast lump or unusual nipple discharge- because they believe they’re too young to get breast cancer. They may assume a lump is a harmless cyst or other growth. Some doctors may also dismiss breast lumps in young women as cysts. In young women, breast cancer tends to be diagnosed in its later stages and be more aggressive. Young women also have a higher mortality rate and higher risk of metastatic recurrence (return of breast cancer in areas beyond the breast).