Rural Doctors Foundation

Ria Mathew is a medical student at James Cook University (JCU) with a passion for rural medicine. 

2 minute read

Cancer - Debunking the myths

What’s in this article

Cancer is currently the number one cause of death in Australia, taking the lives of approximately 50,000 Australians each year. However, despite the high prevalence, many misconceptions about cancer still manage to circulate. 

World Cancer Day

Cancer is a disease characterised by uncontrollable cell growth. It presents itself in hundreds of different forms, such as breast cancer and lung cancer. Each form has its own set of unique symptoms and treatment approaches.

For those living in rural communities, the impact can be not only devastating, but wide-reaching.  Rural communities are close-knit so a cancer diagnosis often impacts the entire community.  Also, there is greater impact on families with long distance travel and separation often required for treatment.  

Rural doctors play a significant role in supporting not only the patient through a cancer diagnosis, but also their family and the community. They are also connected to many support organisations and can provide valuable information and resources to help a family understand the options and support that is available to them.

Early detection can save your life.

See your GP regularly and stay informed 

 visit https://www.cancer.org.au/

 
Debunking the myths
 
Artificial sweeteners make you more prone to cancer 
Artificial sweeteners are sugar alternatives found in many modern-day foods such as low-calorie soft drinks. No reputable evidence has been found to this date, linking artificial sweeteners with cancer development in humans. Managing your day-to-day nutrition and limiting proven risks such as processed food and alcohol consumption, are more effective in reducing your risk of developing cancer, than cutting artificial sweeteners.
Cancer is contagious

Unlike Covid-19, cancer cannot be passed by either direct or indirect contact. If a cancer cell from a person with cancer were to find its way to a healthy person, their immune system, which fights foreign bodies, would destroy the cancer cell.

Chemotherapy causes permanent hair loss

Though there are rare instances where chemotherapy causes permanent hair loss, in most cases, hair begins to grow back at the end of the course.

If everyone in my family has cancer, I will inevitably get cancer

Different forms of cancer come about in different ways. Most common cancers are a result of gene modifications that occur in a person over the course of their life. These modifications are the result of many factors, including environmental, genetic, and random. In a minority of cases (3-10%), the development of cancer is the result of a mutation on a gene that was inherited from a person’s parents.

Mobile phones cause cancer

Radiofrequency electromagnetic energy (RFE) used by mobiles has not been shown to cause cancer mutations or DNA damage. Numerous studies have shown short to medium-term (under ten years) use of mobile phones to have no effect on increasing the risk of cancer. However, research is still underway regarding the effects of long-term mobile phone usage.

Burn foods cause cancer

When food is overcooked, particularly carbohydrate-rich foods, a substance called acrylamide is formed. In its’ industrial form, acrylamide is a known toxin and carcinogen. However, there has not been enough substantial evidence proving a link between the consumption of acrylamide from cooking foods at high temperatures and the development of cancer.

 
The importance of screening 
 

Seeing your GP for a check-up when you are well is just as important as going when you are sick.  When you are well is the best time for a health check. Your doctor can take the time to do screening for conditions you may not know you have.  A good GP will have a chat and tailor investigations based on your age and risk factors.  Getting skin and blood pressure checks are just the beginning of what a GP can offer. Sometimes people ask to be “checked for cancer”. Although there isn’t one single test GP’s can test for specific types of cancer based on your lifestyle, family history and other risks. Talk to your GP about screening for different types of cancers.

Bowel cancer – these tests look for chemical traces of blood in your stool that can be an early warning sign. 

Lung cancer – most people have seen the new advertisements warning of signs of lung cancer like persistent or blood-stained cough, often brought on by smoking. A chest x-ray could detect it early giving treatment a head start. 

Breast cancer – screening is available for women over 40. Mobile screening buses tour rural communities or your GP can help. 

Cervical cancer – a simple pap smear for women in their doctor’s office is a quick an efficient test. Although some women try to avoid them, a smear can detect changes to the cervix before cancer spreads. Today, there is a DIY kit if you feel uncomfortable having a swap in the doctor’s surgery.

Prostate cancer – a big concern for men but is easily screened for and effectively treated if found early. Timely check ups can be the difference in early detection. Having a good relationship with your GP and seeing them regularly can save your life.

Ria Mathew is a medical student at James Cook University (JCU) with a passion for rural medicine.