Even with all sorts of scientific and medical information out there, there are enough myths that surround brain cancer. Below are a list of some of the most popular myths and the facts behind them.
Hair dyes are one of the main causes behind brain cancer.
Although it is said that those who use hair dyes become more prone to the disease, this is untrue. This myth originated in the US and has been propagated world wide. There is no reason to suspect hair dyes of causing brain cancer. Some of the ingredients in hair dyes contain elements that are toxic to health. A major one among them is ammonia. These elements cause skin ulcers and eruptions. But no substantial evidence of brain cancer being caused by hair dyes have been found. The recent reports of National Institute of Health as well as the Journal of American Medical Association present that hair dye does not lead to brain cancer at all. So, believing in such a myth will be extremely misleading.
Those who use cell phones inevitably develop brain cancer.
A conventional idea says that those who use cell phones excessively are more vulnerable to brain cancer. This myth originated from the mechanism of cell phone technology. Radio frequency generated from cell phones while making or receiving a call may get absorbed in the tissues of the brain. The believers of this myth feel that this may lead to a mutation of the brain cells which may develop malignancy over time. But, the research on mobile technology and triggers of brain cancer have failed to find any substantial link between the two.
If your parents have a history of brain cancer you will definitely fall a victim to the disease.
Researches on cancer show that most types of cancer are genetic. They flow down from generation to generation. This is the foundation on which the above myth rests. It is said that parents suffering from brain cancer pass on the disease to their offspring. On the contrary, certain specific types of cancer such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer are generic in nature. But, brain cancer does not belong to this category. So, the myth is not true. Moreover, it needs attention that although many forms of cancer are genetic, one cannot give 100 percent guarantee that you will have cancer if your parents suffer from the disease too. Such a myth will only create trauma and panic.
You can develop brain cancer if you suffer from hair loss.
The connection between hair loss and the development of brain cancer is probably among several other illogical myths about the disease. Actually, medical science believes that hair loss is a superficial symptom of any illness within. But, no researchers have come to this conclusion that hair loss signals that the victim is affected by brain cancer. Hair loss is caused due to weak hair follicles, post operative side effects, post pregnancy symptom, anemia, etc. Brain cancer is caused due to the formation of carcinogenic tumors in the brain or any other parts of the body. So, there is no link between the two.
Brain cancer is incurable and you will eventually die from it.
As is common with any other fatal diseases, the majority of the population believes that a patient suffering from brain cancer will inevitably die. This is a completely unscientific myth and traumatizes a patient even more. With the advancement of medical science, various treatments, surgical methods and radiations are available that can cure brain cancer. Most advanced stages of brain cancer are also treated with chemotherapy and many patients respond well.
Positive thinking will cure you of brain cancer.
Although positive thinking has much to do with any sort of treatment, it is not the only medicine for brain cancer. Positive thinking develops the sense of well being and confidence in a patient. This makes a patient recover from the disease at a much quicker rate and respond to the treatments. But, you must follow scientific methods of treatment and medication to cure brain cancer. Thus, the statement can be condemned as a myth. It will hamper the process of treatment too if encouraged to spread.
Eating aspartame leads to brain cancer.
Consumption of aspartame has been linked with brain cancer since 1996. But, fortunately there is no scientific basis to this statement. Hence, this has been proved to be a myth after the researches carried out at the National Cancer Institute. The report that was submitted contradicted the above statement.
