I'M AN ONCOLOGIST—THIS IS THE ONE CANCER MYTH I WISH WOULD GO AWAY
Cancer awareness campaigns and research have increased our tools and knowledge about the disease. It no longer necessarily has to be a death sentence, especially when caught early.
"People can increase their odds of early detection through regular screening for the most common cancers," says Dr. Roshani Patel, MD, FACS, a breast surgical oncologist and the medical director of Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center's breast program.
Yet, despite all of the knowledge and tools we've gained about cancer risk reduction, screening, detection and treatment over the last few decades, Dr. Patel tells Parade there are still several cancer myths out there. While there are certainly some reputable sources on the internet, you can't believe everything you read.
"It is human nature to look up information on the internet so that people can be more informed about healthcare decisions," she says. "The issue is that people who may not be as well-versed in technology as well as the benefits and pitfalls may post articles and information that are inaccurate."
The consequences of cancer myths can be devastating. "People may decide not to seek standard treatments that are effective for an issue," Dr. Patel reports. "As a result, a disease may be under-treated or not caught early enough. When we diagnose a problem later, we may not be able to treat the issue as well as we would have if it had been caught early."
Cancer still kills hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. Knowing the truth can be life-saving. That's why she says there's one cancer myth she wishes would go away. Read on to find out what it is.
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The Common Cancer Myth an Oncologist Wishes Would Go Away
Dr. Patel wishes people would stop believing that cancer always has obvious symptoms. More often than not, cancer doesn't have any symptoms, especially in the early stages when your body is more likely to respond well to treatment. Dr. Patel is worried and has seen firsthand how this cancer myth can have a devastating effect because it tricks people into believing that they don't need life-saving and routine preventative care.
"An early small cancer may not cause symptoms, which is why we screen for cancer," she explains. "If we do not monitor for cancer, the cancer will grow and continue to spread until it is noticeable."
The phrase "mammograms save lives" isn't just a tagline—it's a fact. A 2024 Journal of Medical Screening study suggested that Swedish women who went for mammograms on a regular schedule reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer by 66% compared to those who didn't.
One reason that regular screenings increase survival rates is that they give healthcare teams a chance to execute treatment plans that stop cancer in its tracks.
"When cancer spreads elsewhere, patients may present with 'late stage symptoms' like shortness of breath," Dr. Patel shares. "If a patient comes in to be evaluated for shortness of breath, scans will focus on the lungs, when in reality they may have a cancer that spreads, or metastasizes, to the lungs. for instance."
Take colon cancer, for example. The American Cancer Society reports that the relative survival rate is 91% if it's caught when it's localized (hasn't spread). However, that number plummets to a 13% relative five-year survival rate if it's spread to distant organs.
People with cancer in their families may be more aware of the need for screenings. However, people without much cancer in their DNA may assume symptoms are something else, even when they do occur.
"Sometimes, patients may not think they have cancer if they do not have a family history and may mistake a lump for an infection, for instance," Dr. Patel says. "They do not seek a specialist opinion and may be treated as someone who has an infection by someone who may not have expertise about the specific issue."
It can delay an accurate diagnosis and life-changing treatment.
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Quick, Regular Care (Especially Cancer Screenings) Can Save Your Life
Since cancer can develop without symptoms, Dr. Patel says it's crucial to get screenings that you're eligible for and speak with your provider about other risk factors, such as family history and habits like smoking. The aim is not to shame or alarm you, but help you get the care you need, if and when you need it. When it comes to screening for, there are general guidelines and exceptions.
"It’s best to speak to your provider to determine a screening schedule that’s best for you based on your health history, family history of disease and other factors," Dr. Patel says.
To help get you started, she calls out how to get tested for three of the most common cancers today: breast, colon and melanoma and other forms of skin cancer.
- Breast cancer: Yearly mammograms starting at age 40 for average-risk women (with an ultrasound if you have dense tissue). High-risk women (genetic risks, history of chest wall radiation before 30 and others) should get annual MRI breast screenings beginning at age 25 and mammograms starting at age 30, with or without screening ultrasound, based on breast density. "The interval between MRI and mammogram with ultrasound should be six months," Dr. Patel adds.
- Colon cancer: Colonoscopies aren't fun, but people at an average risk need to have one every 10 years beginning at age 45, according to the American Cancer Society. For those with a family history of colon cancer or polyps—[considered] high risk —colonoscopies should start at age 40 or 10 years before the youngest affected relative," Dr. Patel stresses.
- Melanoma and other forms of skin cancer: Dr. Patel recommends having regular skin screenings with a dermatologist. Additionally, she advises flagging any moles or freckles with irregular borders and shapes, unusual color, crusting, bleeding or a length longer than a pencil eraser. "Those signs can indicate something is wrong," she explains. "If you're doing self checks in the mirror, ask a friend—or even your hairdresser or barber—to check your scalp. Don’t forget to check places like between your toes and other areas of skin that are not exposed to the sun."
That said, if you notice concerning symptoms, speak with your healthcare team.
"Your doctor should order imaging and testing based on symptoms and refer you to a specialist or a team of specialists that can fast-track your care and potentially save your life," Dr. Patel notes.
It also may not be cancer at all. But at least you got it checked, and hopefully, you're on the path to feeling better.
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Sources:
- Dr. Roshani Patel, MD, FACS, a breast surgical oncologist and the medical director of Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center's breast program
- Cancer Statistics. National Cancer Institute.
- Beneficial effect of repeated participation in breast cancer screening upon survival. Journal of Medical Screening.
- Survival Rates for Colorectal Cancer. American Cancer Society.
- Breast Cancer: Screening. USPS Task Force.
- American Cancer Society Guideline for Colorectal Cancer Screening. American Cancer Society.
