An expert busts 5 myths around cancer care and treatmentPublished on: 8 February 2022, 09:00 am IST
India is witnessing a paradigm shift in advanced healthcare delivery. Newer technologies, and innovations in the space are gradually changing the face of how we deliver care to patients. However, if we talk about illnesses like cancer, lack of health literacy, social stigmas, and misconceptions around it are a few of the major factors leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
Despite advances in the medical field, cancer continues to be perceived as a death sentence among the masses. Cancer patients are often subjected to negativity in their lives, leading to unpleasantness and eventual breakdown.
Here are some myths about cancer:
Myth 1: Cancer is not curable
Fact: If diagnosed early, most of the cancers are now curable.
Myth 2: Diagnosis and treatment of cancers is very costly
Fact: Many cancers can be diagnosed by simple clinical examination and basic tests. For financial support, various government and non-government organizations are available to help needy patients.
Myth 3: Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) is an experimental therapy
Fact: BMT is a very effective and curative treatment for blood cancers, which are incurable with medicines and chemotherapy. This modality of therapy is a boon for various blood disorders (even non-cancerous).
Myth 4: Cancer can get transmitted by contact
Fact: Cancer is not an infection and it is not transmitted by contact. We must not believe all myths about cancer.
Myth 5: Blood cancers are the most severe type of cancers, and they never get cured
Fact: Blood cancer is a blanket term, which includes leukemias, lymphomas and multiple myeloma. The treatments for blood cancers are so much revolutionized that many of them can be controlled by simple tablets. Many blood cancers are curable now. Even in older patients, life can be prolonged with excellent quality of life.
The last word
Cancer has always been viewed as a dreadful disease, so much so that people are scared to fight it. It’s important that you pay attention to the early signs and symptoms, and get yourself checked before it’s too late!