Alice in Wonderland: Cancer Myths

Alice, a down to earth 19-year-old, has been betrothed to an English nobleman. The story begins at her extravagant engagement party where we see her escape the party to consider her future as well as her marriage to the nobleman. In doing so she spots a white rabbit in the gardens, chases him, and falls down a rabbit hole. She finds herself in 'Underland' which resembles her childhood nightmares with talking animals, the villainous red queen, among others. Alice comes to the realization that she is destined to conquer the Jabberwocky and restore the rightful white queen to the throne.

INTRODUCTION:

The number of Americans dying from cancer since the 1990s has been declining steadily. Currently, for all existing cancers the survival rate for the next 5 years is at 67 percent. The probability that cancer will become a patients' death sentence depends on various factors. These factors include cancer growth, how much cancer has spread, which effective treatments available, individuals’ overall health, and others.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The most common cancer type found in women is breast cancer whereas for men it is prostate cancer. Both lung cancer and colorectal cancer affect both men and women at similarly high numbers. Cancer can form in any location in the human body. Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancer develops when the body's normal control mechanism stops working. Old cells do not die and instead grow out of control, forming new, abnormal cells. These extra cells may form a mass of tissue, called a tumor. Certain cancers for example, Leukemia, does not form tumors. [B]

 

There are 5 forms of cancer that exist. Cancer that originates in the skin or tissues that line internal organs is known as Carcinomas. Those that develop in ones’ bones, cartilage, fat, muscle, or other connective tissues in the body are called Sarcomas. Leukemia begins in the bone marrow and blood. Finally, cancers concerning the central nervous system (aka: CNS) originate in the brain and spinal cord. Thus, deciding on proper and effective treatment options depend on which cancer type, stage of cancer, whether the cancer has spread, and patients’ general health status. The goal with specified treatments is to terminate as many cancerous cells possible while reducing damage to nearby healthy cells. [B]

The 3 main treatment options include surgery where the physician directly removes the tumor, chemotherapy where chemicals are used to kill cancerous cells, and radiation therapy where X-rays are applied to terminate cancer cells found in the body. Although two patients may develop the same form of cancer, each patients’ cancer differs drastically from another. [B]

 

Within a single type of cancer, such as breast cancer, researchers are discovering sub-types that each requires a different treatment approach. Unfortunately, these treatments do come with a broad range of side effects and patients typically need extra maintenance for their overall well-being. Factors such as pain, fatigue, depression, and other side effects of cancer treatments demand a greater focus other than just the disease itself. [B]

Nutrition therapy, Naturopathic medicine, and Oncology Rehabilitation are all examples of the types of supportive care services that are available to cancer patients. Nutrition therapy aids in the prevention of malnutrition and reduces side effects. Naturopathic medicine takes natural remedies and boosts patients’ energy while also minimizing side effects. Oncology rehabilitation to rebuild strength and overcome some of the physical effects of treatment. Medicine focused on the ‘Mind-Body’ tends to improve the emotional well-being through counseling, stress management techniques, and support groups. [B] 

 

The future of cancer treatment lies in providing patients with an even greater level of personalization. Doctors are beginning to offer treatment options based on the genetic changes occurring in a specific tumor. An innovative new diagnostic tool, the genomic tumor assessment, examines a patient’s tumor genetically to identify the mechanism that caused cancer. Genomic tumor assessment may result in a more personalized approach to cancer treatment. [B]

The most common misconceptions of where or how cancer originates tends to make sense especially when based on old theories are typically scientifically wrong. This can erroneously lead to mass anxiety and worry, hinder proper cancer prevention and effective treatment decisions. These ideas are spread by self-made wellness specialists who claim that cancer is a man-made disease, inflicting fear in people that this disease is a direct result of modern life elements. [A]

 

Popular ideas of the ways that cancer originate, and spread can make a lot of sense, especially when they are based on older theories. These ideas on cancer are scientifically wrong and can lead to unnecessary worry, hinder good prevention, and treatment decisions. Here are the most common cancer misconceptions. [A]

DEODORANTS:

Currently, there is no evidence that links chemicals in antiperspirants and deodorants with alterations in breast tissue.

MOBILE PHONES & WIFI:

When the body's DNA is damaged and sending normal healthy-cell-replication processes askew, 'Ionizing Radiation' (like X-Rays, Radiotherapy) carry a large amount of energy far beyond the capabilities of mobile phones. Wifi transmits even less energy than a mobile phone (aka: cell phones). 

 

The majority of cell phones are used by people worldwide and there are some who claim that these devices cause serious health risks such as cancer. In 1992 only a few people used mobile phones until 2008 when phones were available worldwide and the number of people who developed brain tumor barely changed. Between the years 2000 until 2016, WHO (world Health Organization) conducted an 'Interphone Study' that included thousands of people across 13 countries.

 

They discovered that mobile phones did not increase an individuals' chance of getting a brain tumor. Thus, the relationship between RF (radio-frequency) radiation in cell phones and cancer is weak to non-existent. The best studies completed so far have stated that cell phones do not cause cancer. Cancer is caused by genetic mutations, and cell phones emit a type of low-frequency energy that does not damage genes.

SUGAR:

Research has revealed that cancer cells consume more sugar (glucose) than normal healthy cells. However, no studies express that eating sugar will make cancer worse or cause it. In addition, not eating sugar will make cancer shrink or disappear is a common misconception. A high sugar diet can contribute to gain excess weight and obesity, on the other hand, is associated with increased risk of developing cancer.

ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS:

When researches conducted studies of artificial sweeteners and their safety, no evidence was found that would cause cancer in humans. The artificial sweeteners (aka: ‘sugar substitutes’), Sweet ‘N Low (aka: ‘saccharin’), Equal or NutraSweet (aka: ‘cyclamate; aspartame’), Sweet One (aka: ‘acesulfame potassium), and Splenda (aka: ‘sucralose’). Except for ‘cyclamate’, these artificial sugars have been approved by the FDA in the US.

HEREDITARY:

Cancer is caused by harmful changes (mutations) in genes. Harmful mutations inherited by parents is merely a 5 to 10 percent risk. Instances where multiple family members develop the same type of cancer with an inherited cancer-causing mutation are known as “familial” or “hereditary” cancers. The remaining 90 to 95 percent of cancers are caused by mutations that happen during a person’s lifetime as a natural result, called “non-hereditary” or “spontaneous” cancers.

FAMILY RELATED:

Roughly 38% of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. Majority of cancers are caused by genetic changes that occur throughout an individual’s life. It is typically a natural result of aging and exposure to environmental factors (ex: tobacco, smoke, and radiation). The type of foods consumed, the amount eaten, and frequency of exercise can influence the risk of developing cancer.

AIR EXPOSURE:

Exposure to air will not make tumors grow faster or cause cancer to spread to other parts of the body.

ATTITUDES:

Currently, there is no existing scientific evidence that one’s attitude is linked to the development of cancer or dying from it. Being diagnosed with cancer, it is completely normal to feel sad, angry, or discouraged and other times be upbeat and happy. Individuals’ with a positive attitude may be more likely to maintain social connections, stay active, physical activity, and reaching out for emotional support can help cancer patients cope better.

 

POWER LINES:

According to most recent studies, the electric energy emitted by power lines is easily shielded or weakened by walls and other objects. Power lines emit both electric and magnetic energy. The magnetic energy emitted by power lines is a low-frequency form of radiation that does not damage genes.

ORGANIC FARMING:

The belief that organic food has 'anti-cancer' properties is popular. However according to the 'World Cancer Research Fund', led by Michelle McCully, was one of the largest leading authorities on a diet and its correlation to cancer. But no strong evidence exists to provide support the myth that organic foods offer added protection from cancer (compared to conventionally grown produce).

 

HERBAL PRODUCTS:

Some studies may suggest that alternative therapies (certain herbs) can help patients cope with the side effects of cancer treatment. But, scientifically speaking, no herbal products have been shown to be effective for treating cancer. Some herbal products may even be harmful during radiation therapy or chemotherapy as they can interfere with how effectively these treatments work.

SURGERY:

The risk of cancer spreading to other regions of the body during surgery is miniscule. Following standard procedures, surgeons use special methods and take many steps to prevent cancer cells from spreading during biopsies or surgery to remove tumors.

 

CHEMICALS & POLLUTION:

Everything people breathe is a chemical. We are protected from exposure to industrial chemicals that would harm our health thanks to EU regulations. However, there is a minor risk of lung cancer associated with air pollution. Other chemical myths on cancer risks are using plastic bottles and deodorant.

CONTAGIOUS:

Cancer is not a contagious disease, spreading easily from one person to another. The only way that cancer can spread like that is from having an organ or tissue transplant. (A person who receives an organ or tissue from a donor who had cancer in the past may be at increased risk of developing a transplant-related cancer in the future). 

This risk is extremely low, every 2 out of 10,000 organ transplant cases. Doctors avoid the use of organs or tissue from donors who have a history of cancer. Some individuals have cancers caused by viruses (aka: ‘form of human papillomavirus’, or ‘HPV’) and bacteria (aka: ‘Helicobacter pylori’). While a virus or bacterium can spread from person to person, these cancers cannot spread from person to person.

THE TRUTH:

The best thing people can do is to stop smoking, maintain a healthy weight, and avoiding excess sun exposure. Cancer is becoming more and more common because it is a disease of old age. many people have cancer who in earlier times would have died much younger. However, some aspects of our modern lifestyles do increase our chances of getting cancer.

 

LINKS:

(A) https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/myths

(B) https://www.cancercenter.com/what-is-cancer/

(C) https://animationscreencaps.com/alice-wonderland-2010/35

(D) https://www.gaurdian.com/cancermyths

 *Please note! These images are not mine. They were found on various tumblr, pinterest, google image sites! If any are yours’ please let me know so that I can give you credit for them! Also the people in the images have no relation to the diseases, illnesses, or cancers I write about. Thanks so much & enjoy~