Does stress cause cancer?

In one word, No. while this is very common among people to impute cancer to anxiety and mental stress, the vast number of studies conducted on the relationship between the stress and cancer, have shown no link between the two. As well, no scientific evidence shows a link between the history of mental disorders and the chance of getting cancer.

What factors may cause cancer?

The factors that increase the risk of getting cancer (known as cancer risk factors) vary for each type of cancer. Having a cancer risk factor rises the likelihood of getting the corresponding cancer type. But this does not mean that people with numerous risk factors will get cancer, and those with no risk factors may never develop cancer. This is because getting cancer depends on many factors that are not necessarily known or avoidable. The risk factors

  • Increased age
  • Family cancer history
  • Among the known cancer risk factors, the following are those with the highest impact on the community health.
  • The use of tobacco (in any forms)
  • Unhealthy diet
  • Insufficient physical activity
  • Obesity
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Intense sun exposure (also other forms of UV exposure)
  • Environmental pollutants (including asbestos, lead and radon gas)
  • Infections such as hepatitis, HPV, and HIV
  • Immunosuppression

Is cancer contagious?

Cancer is not contagious. There is no chance for cancer to be transmitted through air, touch, body fluids, sexual activity, shared objects, water and food between people. But in worth to note that there are numerous sexually transmitted infections that can cause cancer, including Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), Hepatitis B Viruses (HBV), Hepatitis C Viruses (HCV), Type-8 Human Herpes Virus (HHV-8) and Human T-lymphotropic Virus-1 (HTLV-1).

https://onco.com/blog/sexually-transmitted-cancer/

Is there any cancer vaccine?

Generally, no cancer vaccine has yet developed to prevent cancer. However, since some cancers can be caused by certain viral infections, vaccination against these infections can help to prevent cancers caused by them. human papilloma virus (HPV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) are the 2 types of viral infections with available vaccine that can cause cancer if not prevented.

On the other hand, you might have heard or reed about cancer vaccines being approved for clinical use or discovered by scientists. Of course, there are some cancer vaccines already in use and more are on the way. But note that they are therapeutic (and not preventive) vaccines, utilized to treat cancer patients.

Is cancer curable?

Cancer can be cured in many cases, however not in all cases. It takes a long period of time (typically 5 years or more) to regard the cancer as cured, and the chance for a cured cancer increases the longer a person remains cancer free. Cancer, in many cases, is treated as a chronic disease after the treatment has finished, meaning it necessarily does not go away but rather can be controlled and needs lifelong attention and follow-up.

How does the positive or negative attitude affect the cancer?

By now, no evidence suggests that the attitude of the patient, either positive or negative has any influence on the likelihood of developing or preventing cancer and effectiveness of treatment on it. For the cancer patient and also his or her family, it its normal at some points to experience bad feelings like sadness, anger and hopelessness, and cheerful and optimistic at other times. However emotional support, physical activity and remaining socially active, may help the patient to cope with cancer and stay socially connected and retain the psychological health.

Please do not hesitate to call MACSA social working and psycho-oncology department if you seek support.

Can cancer treatment cause more harm that the cancer itself?

Cancer treatment can be associate with side effects. As well in can be expensive. These cause many people who are recently diagnosed with cancer or undergoing cancer treatment, question if they should begin, or continue the treatment.

Based on the type, location and the stage of the cancer, treatment may follow various goals, depending on which a cancer could be cured, controlled or the symptoms being relieved. Accepting to bear the possible difficulties of treatment, often saves the patients’ lives. Even if the cure is not possible, it can help people live longer. As well you need to note that doctors are constantly learning and applying new methods to reduce the side effects of the therapy. On the other hand, sometimes that the cancer has already advanced and curative therapy is not the choice, palliative therapy is being used to reduce the pain and other symptoms of cancer and helps the patient to have a better quality of life.

If you consider refusing the treatment, please talk to a health care provider to discuss your worries, understand the risks and benefits of treatment vs non-treatment and make an informed decision. Ask your oncologist to clearly talk to you about the goals of each course of therapy.

In all this cases, MACSA specialists in medicine, social work and psychology are available to help you answer your worries and make an informed decision.