Facts About Cancer - Breast Cancer In Men, Oral Contraceptives, Health Myths & More!

There are so many scaremongers around. They would like you to believe that exposing yourself to certain products or environments you could get cancer. These are, quite often, health myths produced by the media. It might be that people develop cancer and they are seeking blame in their lifestyle choices. Ideas, for example, that breast cancer and men simply does’nt mix or that oral contraceptives increase the likelihood of cancer – these are the sorts of assumptions that may be made.

Once people get together, some of these ideas may be discussed or a chance remark made and… voila! You have an unfounded assumption based on an idea. The media gets hold of these ideas and, before you know it, television programmes are made and reports are sensationalised in newspapers.

In this article, I want to highlight some facts about cancer, thereby dispelling some health myths. Here are some topics that I will cover:

• Cancer & Stress

• Contraceptive Pill and Cancer

• Can Men Get Breast Cancer Too?

• Can We Inherit Breast Cancer?

• Can Sweeteners Cause Cancer?

• Antiperspirants and Breast Cancer!

• Can Pylons Cause Cancer?

• Can Using Microwave Ovens and Plastic Cookware Give Us Cancer?

• Can Vitamin D Protect You From Cancer?

All ideas have to be tested in a research setting and analysed.  It is then that a hypothesis is sought, tried and tested.  Great statistical analyses have to be performed and this is where you find probability on risk assessment.

Fortunately there is absolutely NO evidence that stress causes cancer (Source: Cancer Research UK). However, levels of hormones in the body can change with the influence of stressful situations. There is little proof that cancer can follow as a result of this.

Research at Yale University studying a mutation of fruit flies suggested links to hormonal changes and cancer with these insects. However, human beings are not fruit flies so the link is not relevant.

This story was sensationalised by newspaper reports. I wonder how many people found their stress levels increase by reading this!

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It is unknown whether the pill causes breast cancers and/or cervical cancers. It is believed that there is a slight risk but after 10 years after stopping the contraceptive pill, risks decrease to normal levels. However, if you have a family history of breast cancer, it is advised to take a pill that is lower in the hormone oestrogen. The pill prevents the risks of ovarian and cancer of the womb by half, whilst it is administered, over a number of years (Source: Cancer Research UK).

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Yes believe it! I have taken two patients with male breast cancer over the last 4 years - I volunteer, drive patients to their appointments and cancer treatment. This is with the Ambulance service and Red Cross.

It is a rare cancer but can affect 300 men in the UK each year alone (Source: Cancer Research UK). Typically it affects men over 60 but that doesn’t mean to say that men as young as 20 don’t get it. There have been a few instances of these men who have contracted breast cancer.

It is thought that exposure to radiation; genetics and links to obesity may be the cause.

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Only 5-10 percent of cases are due to genetic inheritance (Cancer Research UK). Yes, that was a surprise to me too! It is, therefore, a health myth that most women, who have had breast cancer in the family, have a high chance of developing it.

One in nine women will develop breast cancer and lifestyle choices can affect the development of this. In fact 15 – 35% of patients with breast cancer could have prevented it by a healthy diet and exercise.

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There is strong evidence that sweeteners do not cause cancer.

It was in the 60’s when this health myth was spawned with the sweetener cyclamate. It was thought to have caused cancer of the bladder in rats. However, since then, it has been found that this is not linked (Source Cancer UK). Can sweeteners cause cancer? No, this is a health myth.

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A 2007 study published in the journal of Inorganic Biochemistry looked at 17 women who had the mastectomy operation for breast cancer. When this was anylysed, it was found that high levels of aluminium were in their breast tissues. The aluminium in antiperspirants was linked to this in the research study. However, these findings have not been compared to women without breast cancer. As confessed by the researchers themselves, the findings of this, therefore, were inconclusive.

• There is no evidence that using antiperspirants can cause breast cancer (Cancer Research UK).

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In 1979 a connection between electromagnetic fields and leukaemia was suggested. Researchers looked at these effects of household wiring in the USA where magnetic fields are stronger than in the UK. Since then a further four studies were completed in the UK on power lines, pylons and high voltage lines.

So is there a risk? There maybe a risk but it is only a very slight one (Dr Richard Sullivan, Head of Clinical Programmes – Cancer Research UK), so let me pause the scare mongering from here!

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It happened with e-mail. ‘Heating food in microwave ovens gives you cancer!’ it said. This was a hoax – a false claim that has got out of control!

Plastics that are microwaveable are safe when used for microwave cooking. You should avoid the type of plastic that melts – if in doubt use glass or china! I have now dispelled another health myth and created a sense of relief.

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There have been lots of studies that found a link between Vitamin D levels and cancer (Dr Virginia Warren, Bupa). Vitamin D comes from oily fish and sunlight. However, you would have to eat as much as four tins of oily fish a day to make a significant effect on reduced risk of developing cancer. You have to be aware, as well, that salmon, for example, can have high levels of mercury. Eating fish like this twice a week is not enough to give you mercury poison – so don’t start worrying about that!

What has been suggested, however, is that you take three high-strength Vitamin D capsules everyday (Dr. Warren, Bupa). If you want to read more on this subject, I have another article on this. Please click here for more.

As can be seen throughout the internet and through word of mouth, facts about cancer may have been skued.  This article is written on evidence based research and not by assumptions.  Now is the time to make your own mind up with an informed choice.  Do you trust the evidence or are you more likely to mistrust it?  Can sweeteners cause cancer?  Is cancer genetic?  Can vitamin D prevent cancer and will you stop microwave cooking because you fear that cancer may invade?  It is all a mystery but we all have personal choice.  My thoughts, as regards to dispelling the myths of cancer, is that we all would rather play safe than sorry.  The facts about cancer will always be scrutinised and why not? 

© This work is covered under Creative Commons License

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Special thanks to Bupa Health News, 2010, for being my inspiration to this hub and to:

• Source: Bupa Healthcare

• Source: Cancer Research UK

The author assumes no responsibility as a result of this article.  Should you be in doubt, or you need clarification, please seek the advice of an appropriate Medical Practitioner.  This article has been written with the intention of providing an informed choice and is evidence based.