Busted: The Biggest Cancer Myths

Parkway Cancer Centre’s consultant Dr Tan Wu Meng tells you what NOT to believe when it comes to cancer.

MYTH #1: MICROWAVED FOOD AND DISPOSABLES GIVE YOU CANCER

Your microwave oven is designed to contain microwaves within the appliance, so as long as the door is shut, you won’t be exposed to microwave energy, says Dr Tan Wu Meng. Also, food that is microwaved does not become radioactive (but use a microwave-safe container, which won’t leach chemicals into the food when heated).

Don’t sweat over eating with styrofoam containers and bleached chopsticks, which many think will up their cancer risk. While tiny amounts of chemicals can leach into food, it’s still a much lower risk than smoking or excessive sun exposure.

MYTH #2: A BIOPSY CAUSES CANCER TO SPREAD

Some people think a biopsy – which requires removing cells from a tumour to test if they’re malignant – will make cancer spread to distant organs. Not true, says Dr Tan.

So don’t skip the biopsy. It’ll help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis and work out the best treatment plan for you.

MYTH #3: CURE CANCER BY STARVING IT

It’s a misconception that fasting can stop a cancerous tumour from growing. Although cancer cells feed on sugar and nutrients, the healthy cells need nutrition too.

“What we do know is that your body needs enough nutrition to ght the cancer, so it’s important to eat well,” says Dr Tan. So get a good variety of all the food groups, he adds.

MYTH #4: IF I EAT RIGHT AND STAY FIT, I WON’T GET CANCER

Cancer can strike anyone. But the good news is, keeping t helps you better ght any illness or cancer you might encounter, says Dr Tan.

“The general condition of your health does matter,” he explains. “If you’re very t, chances are you will have fewer complications and a faster recovery when you’re seeking treatment. It also increases the number of treatment options you have.”

For example, an earlystage lung cancer patient with strong lungs can opt to remove a small tumour, while someone with weak lungs might not be able to recover from the surgery.

Dr Tan Wu Meng is a specialist in medical oncology, and a consultant at Parkway Cancer Centre. Dr Tan believes that a doctor’s role is to walk alongside patients during the cancer journey and to understand their hopes and fears – because every patient...