Misconceptions about cancer: From 'chemicals' in food to wifi

There are things just an exaggeration about the risk of cancer in life - but it is becoming more and more popular. What is the truth and the fiction?

Mobile and wifi

In the United States, almost no one used a cell phone in 1992. By 2008, the use of mobile phones had spread, but the number of people with brain tumors remained virtually unchanged. The Interphone study by the World Health Organization, which surveyed thousands of people across 13 countries between 2000 and 2006, also found that mobile phones do not increase the risk of brain tumors.

Basically, cancer is caused by our DNA being damaged but still the process of dividing and regenerating cells is still the same as the body is still healthy. Ionizing radiation, such as in X-rays or radiotherapy, carries a tremendous amount of energy, while mobile phones carry only a small amount of energy. Breaking or acting on DNA requires a lot of energy, far beyond the capabilities of mobile phones. Wifi also transmits less energy than mobile phones.

Phones do not increase the risk of brain cancer.

'In general, the current evidence of a causal relationship between RF radiation (radio frequency) from mobile phones and cancer is found to be very weak or non-existent'. The International Cancer Research Agency lists mobile phones as 'possibly carcinogenic' , but this classification only means that there may be a hypothetical link that cannot be ruled out, rather than the ability to cause real cancer.

Organic food

There is a popular belief, propagated by many non-professional bloggers, that organic food has 'anti-cancer' properties . However, Michelle McCully, head of the Interpretation group at the World Cancer Research Foundation, one of the world's leading agencies for diet and cancer, said: 'There is currently no evidence. obviously to support the idea that organic products increase their ability to fight cancer compared to conventional food. '

Chemicals and pollution

'Chemicals' is a much misunderstood word - everything, including the air we breathe, is a 'chemical'. EU regulations protect us from exposure to industrial chemical levels that can be harmful to health. There is a small part of the risk of lung cancer related to air pollution, but a comprehensive consideration in the context of each person's living finds that the risk [leading to this lung cancer] for each individual is very small.

Katie Edmunds from British Cancer Research Agency said: 'In the era of fake news, there are many' rumors' related to cancer that people do not need to worry about, such as using plastic bottles or deodorant'.

Risk of obesity

In fact, there are some aspects of our modern lifestyle that also increase the risk of cancer, but it should be noted based on the World Cancer Research Foundation's cancer prevention recommendations - which are based on close research evidence over decades.

According to Emma Shields, at the UK Cancer Research Agency, 'Obesity is the second-largest cause of cancer in the UK. Each year, about 22,800 cases of cancer are due to being overweight or obese. Even so, only 15% of people are aware of this link. '

Lack of exercise and alcohol consumption are other risk factors. Also anyone who wants to improve their health through diet should be particularly cautious about the level of their counselor. Nutrition experts, who spend years of medical training, are the best people to consult.