There was a case where a 42-year-old woman with advanced breast cancer came to my hospital, but due to the misinformation of her family, she had refused treatment for half a year. Her family had told her that doing surgery will disturb the cancer, and it will spread fast. Unfortunately, when she decided to get treated, the situation was not curable anymore. This kind of example is frequent these days. A research paper on health misinformation published in 2025 revealed that the level of knowledge about cancer amongst educated people is quite poor due to misinformation.
I am Dr. Nikhil Mehta, and due to the experiences that I have accumulated from working with patients as an oncologist in jaipur, I created this article as there are many people who still suffer because of false information out there. In this article, I am going to discuss top 10 cancer myths and facts that you can hear almost every day in clinics, and I will give you the reasons why cancer is misinterpreted in the community. Instead, I will show you scientific evidence and real-life medicine to replace fears and myths with reality.
1. Cancer is always a death sentence
Fact: Cancer is not necessarily a death sentence. There are many types of cancer that can be cured if caught early, with chances of survival of more than 90%. These include stage 1 breast cancer, thyroid cancer, and early oral cancer, which are often treated by Dr. Nikhil Mehta in his field of surgical oncology. With modern techniques like targeted therapy, immunotherapy, precision medicine, and robotic surgery, patients can live happy and cancer-free lives for decades after being diagnosed.
What it costs the patient: The fear prevents many patients from going in for medical check-ups or screenings, leading to their condition reaching stage 3 or 4, where the chances of survival are very low.
2. Cancer surgery causes it to spread
Fact: This is by far the most dangerous misconception that I have come across in my practice. It is amazing to see how patients have refused undergoing crucial surgeries and biopsies owing to their fears regarding cancer being transferred or spread through these procedures. According to the National Cancer Institute, the possibility of cancer spreading during surgery is negligible. Additionally, special precautions are taken by cancer surgeons to ensure that there is no transfer of cancer during surgery. It is just that one will experience some exhaustion following surgery, but that will happen because the body is trying to recover and not because of any other reason.
3. Cancer is contagious and can spread to others
Fact: Cancer is not a contagious disease. It is impossible to contract cancer through contact, eating, sharing, or breathing the same air as a cancer patient. Some infections, such as Human Papillomavirus and Hepatitis B/C, raise cancer risks, but the virus is transmissible while the cancer itself is not.
When do virus-induced cancers become a concern?
Preventive measures, safe behaviors, and testing can prevent virus-related cancers. Unfortunately, this misconception leads to emotional distress, resulting in patients being ostracized, children being kept at bay, and spouses leaving their partners during treatment.
4. Sugar directly feeds cancer and must be cut completely
Factual statement: All cells, including those that have cancer, use glucose for fuel; however, sugar consumption does not speed up the process of development of cancer in any way. The National Cancer Institute says there is no proof showing sugar consumption is associated with cancer development. The main problem is too much sugar can lead to overweight or obesity, which is among risk factors associated with cancer. Starvation from not consuming any fruits, whole grains, or carbs may contribute to malnutrition and intolerance to chemotherapy.
Balanced healthy diet for cancer patients:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains and fiber
- High-quality proteins
- Enough liquid
- No processed sugar and ultra-processed foods
5. Only people with a family history of cancer are at risk
Fact: Hereditary genetic mutations are responsible for roughly 5 to 10 percent of cancer cases. Cancer occurs primarily because of environmental and lifestyle factors such as smoking and chewing gutkha, drinking alcohol, poor air quality, workplace chemicals, Human Papillomavirus infection, obesity, unhealthy eating, and lack of physical activity. In India, doctors now report an increase in cancer cases among individuals younger than 40 years without any genetic connection to cancer in their family. This misconception provides a false sense of security for people, making them neglect symptoms and screening programs.
6. Cancer only happens to older people
Fact: Even as age makes one prone to cancer, children, teenagers, and even young adults can suffer from cancer. Diseases like leukemia, bone cancer, cervical cancer, and thyroid cancer often affect younger people. In 2025, physicians in all Indian states observed an alarming trend of young adults progressing to stages 3 or 4 of cancer due to dismissing early symptoms as those of stress, acidity, burnout, or poor lifestyle habits. Viewing cancer as an “older person’s disease” means diagnosis comes too late for many. Warning signs in young people must never be overlooked, including unintentional weight loss, extreme tiredness, strange lumps, blood in urine or stools, or persistent ulcers and sore throats in the mouth.
7. Chemotherapy is more harmful than the cancer itself
Factual information: The previous methods of chemotherapy were indeed brutal, and hence this misconception is alive to this day. Fortunately, new targeted and immune therapies are far more advanced, with side effects that can be effectively controlled. Physicians tailor the approach depending on the kind of cancer, its stage, genetics, and general well-being of the patient, and chemotherapy may not necessarily be administered to all individuals. It is evident that untreated Stage 2 cancer poses more of a threat compared to a patient undergoing treatment at Stage 2, wherein their chances of survival and quality of life have increased immensely.
8. Natural remedies and home treatments can cure cancer
Truth: This is one of the deadliest myths about cancer in India. In 2025, several doctors working at Tata Memorial Hospital issued a warning to cancer patients to refrain from delaying evidence-based treatment following the promotion of cancer treatments through alternative methods by celebrities. While complementary therapy such as yoga, nutritional supplementation, meditation, and emotional counseling could benefit patients in conjunction with conventional treatment, substituting conventional treatment methods with alternative medicine could prove life-threatening. There is no scientific evidence that any form of herb, turmeric, neem, or bovine-based medicine can effectively treat cancer through clinical trial studies.
9. Mobile phones and deodorants cause cancer
It is important to understand that cell phones produce non-ionizing radiation that cannot harm DNA or cause cancer in properly designed scientific research. The World Health Organization and National Cancer Institute confirm that there is currently no scientifically sound evidence of a link between using cell phones and developing cancer. Likewise, there is no connection between deodorant use and the development of breast cancer. In addition, blocked lymph drainage is not scientifically supported. It should be noted that smoking, asbestos, alcohol abuse, UV radiation, and pollution of the environment with carcinogenic agents are actual everyday cancer threats.
9. A positive attitude alone can cure cancer
Fact: Positive thinking definitely contributes to a patient’s ability to deal with the cancer treatment and stay emotionally healthy throughout the tough process. Emotional support provided by family members and caregivers may help a person to adhere to the treatment regime and enjoy a better quality of life. Nevertheless, there is nothing in medical science indicating that positive thinking by itself may lead to tumor reduction and recovery. In other words, the suggestion to believe in one’s positive power may negatively affect the patient if a disease does not go away. As a result, a person will be blamed for his or her attitude towards the condition, which is both wrong and unreasonable.
FAQ
Q. Is it true that cancer cannot be detected without symptoms?
Not necessarily. The diagnosis of many cancers can happen before the appearance of any symptoms through screening processes, such as mammography, Pap smear test, colonoscopy, and low dose computed tomography (CT).
Q. Can cancer recur after successful treatment?
Certainly. Some cancers may come back after initial treatments have been carried out successfully. Regular follow-up procedures allow detecting recurrent diseases and giving necessary treatment.
Q. Should I get a second opinion after a cancer diagnosis?
Indeed. According to Dr. Nikhil Mehta, the consultation of another doctor gives one the opportunity to learn more about the available options and makes people more sure of their actions.
Q. How do I know if a cancer-related claim I read online is true?
Always check the credibility of the information you find, especially if it can influence your treatment. Make sure that the source is qualified enough to give advice. Consult an oncologist.
Q. Is it true that cancer treatment in Jaipur is as advanced as in large cities?
No. Cancer treatment in Jaipur, such as at the HCG Cancer Centre, is comparable to treatment in metropolis centers due to available equipment and advanced methods of treatment.
