Shun myths and go for early detection, diagnosis, treatment: DR. SHUBH MAHINDRU

“Cancer substantially drains out the patients’ resources and badly cripples their finances. Decision regarding treatment of cancer is often avoided or delayed by some people due to unfounded notions, defective and incomplete information, hearsay and lack of awareness. Its deeply engrained myths mislead them further. All this makes the life of already distressed cancer patients more miserable.

People should shun myths and go in for early detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Regular self-examinations, screening tests and check-ups by Oncologists will help in a long way in treating cancer.

Cancer is not contagious and does not infect the other person even if the other person stays near or with a cancer patient.

Some people are afraid of taking cancer treatment at an older age. In fact, old age is not an impediment in cancer treatment. It is the patient’s general health condition and his performance status which determine his suitability for cancer treatment at an old age.

Even if there is no family history of any cancer, one still can get cancerous disease as cancer could be caused due to many other factors such as pollution, unhealthy life style, smoking, drinking, pesticides, chemicals etc.

It is a misconception that biopsy spreads all cancers to other parts of body. In fact, most cancers do not spread from biopsy. Only a few cancers in early stage spread with biopsy.

With medical advancements; now new medicines and supportive treatment are given to manage and lessen the severity of side effects of cancer treatment more effectively than before.

Advancements in medical science have significantly increased the survival time in cancer patients. Some cancer patients live reasonably long life and may die from other causes or diseases like heart disease, lung disease etc. rather than from cancer itself, he asserted.