4 common misconceptions about cancer

While superior genes may be working in the favour of some, cancer still remains the leading cause of death in Canada and worldwide.

A study is underway in British Columbia to determine whether certain genes are protecting so-called “super seniors” from cancer.

The research will help geneticists understand a segment of the elderly who have reached 85 without being affected by cancer, among other diseases like heart disease and diabetes.

READ MORE: New research on ‘super seniors’ to probe whether cancer protection genes exist

Predictions for 2014 estimated 191,300 Canadians would be diagnosed with cancer and 76,600 would die from it, according to Canadian Cancer Society statistics.

Numbers are on the rise, and cancer is still an illness tied to a range of stigmas.

READ MORE: Canada-U.S. team develop ‘sharp-shooter’ drug targeting several cancers

Here are some common myths in the perception of cancer.

It’s your fault

Lung cancer is the most obvious contender in the blame game. Because of its close link to smoking, lung cancer patients bear the burden of more than just the disease.

While smoking is a leading risk factor for cancer, non-smokers and former smokers are also affected by the disease.

The 1984 study, “Social Stigma: The Psychology of Marked Relationships,” discusses stigma as a multidimensional concept. One dimension, ‘origin’, refers to how the illness came about, stating that stigmas are greater when patients are believed to be responsible for their own illness.

READ MORE: 7 findings about Canada’s best and worst cancer-fighting cities

Lung cancer survivor and Lung Cancer Canada board member, Roz Brodsky, 56, says the first question she is always asked in reference to her cancer is whether she was a smoker.

Cervical cancer, usually caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) is another example. Because HPV is a sexually transmitted disease, it carries with it the stigmas of an STD.

Windsor, Ont. oncologist, Dr. Kenneth Schneider said stigmas may come from a lack of understanding of the disease stating they “come from a lay person’s perspective,” rather than a medical perspective.

READ MORE: Canadian doctors dispel cancer myths to mark World Cancer Day

Schneider said that while there are known risk factors for cancer like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, it is important to focus on the present.

“You don’t want someone to be so crippled by what happened in the past so that it stops them from moving forward in doing what they have to for their health and well-being now,” he said.

It’s personal

Cancer does not discriminate. Cancer does not have a list of naughty and nice. Dr. Joseph Nowinski, internationally recognized clinical psychologist refers to Susan Sontag’s book “Illness as Metaphor,” where she addresses the perception of cancer as the result of character flaw.

“Some cancer patients have told me that they were advised to ‘change their outlook on life’ in order to overcome cancer. Others were told that suppressed anger had caused their cancer,” Nowinski told Global in an e-mail.

“We’re being ignored to death because of the stigma. People don’t feel compelled to stand up for lung cancer,” said Brodsky.

It’s only physical

The effects of cancer are much more than what meets the eye. Cancer can be mentally and emotionally damaging as well. Physical changes ranging from weight loss and hair loss, to cases requiring amputation or colostomy bags can be emotionally crippling.

“I found it hard to look the way I looked for a long time. It takes so much away from you,” said Brodsky.

Other dimensions of stigma cited in the research are ‘concealability,’ ‘disruptiveness,’ and ‘aesthetics.’ These all have to do with the visibility of the sickness and in turn the social responses patients receive.

Schneider discussed the physiological and psychoemotional ramifications of cancer as well. He suggested that friends and family “not shy away and be a good support.”

“That can work wonders for the person who is dealing with diagnosis and treatment,” he said.

“Once you get a diagnosis you have to learn to live with uncertainty which is hard for the North American culture,” said Dr. Barbara Okun, clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School.

It’s a first world problem

The number of new cancer cases is expected to rise by approximately 70% per cent globally over the next two decades, according to the World Health Organization. Cancer is a disease affecting people all around the world.

A report from WHO also states that, “more than 60 per cent of world’s total new annual cases occur in Africa, Asia and Central and South America. These regions account for 70 per cent of the world’s cancer deaths.”

lauren.khalil@globalnews.ca