The following questions relate to the myths and beliefs in the Latino or Hispanic community about cancer. These myths and beliefs have been recorded in the literature of scientific research and cancer researchers in working with Latino populations in the United States.
1. Is cancer contagious?
Cancer is not contagious. No one can “catch or pass” cancer from another person.
2. They say that cancer occurs only in people with relatives who have or had cancer. Cancer is hereditary?
The cancer is not always hereditary. Most cancers occur in people who have relatives with cancer. However, some types of cancer do occur more often in certain families than in the rest of the population. For example, the following types of cancer sometimes occur in several members of a family:
- Skin cancer (melanoma)
- Breast cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Colon cancer
3. If the cancer is removed through surgery or biopsy, is it extended or water to other parts of the body?
Some people worry that surgery or biopsy could make cancer spread the disease. This almost never happens. Surgeons use special methods and take many precautions to prevent cancer cells from spreading. For example, if you have to remove tissue from one area of the body, use different tools for each of the areas. So there is less possibility that cancer cells spread to healthy tissue.
Some people also worry that the cancer will spread through the air during surgery. This is not true. The air does not cause the cancer to spread or smear.
4. If a person is receiving cancer treatment, can he/she continue living at home, working and participating in normal activities?”
The cancer treatment affects people differently. How you will feel a particular person depends on their health status before treatment. Many cancer patients continue to work while receiving treatment. Their daily activities depend on the type of cancer they have, on the stage of cancer, and type of treatment they receive.
Source: http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/cancer/mitos-creencias
photo source: http://blogs.trb.com/
Tags: beliefs about cancer, cancer, myths about cancer, Myths and Beliefs About Cancer,