Misconception: Exposing cancer to air will cause it to grow faster.

Fact: This is not true. Historically, cancer patients would present very late in the course of their illness. Prior to CT scans, these patients would undergo exploratory surgery and widespread cancer would be found. Following surgery, these patients did very poorly. This has created the impression for many families, the surgery and “exposure to air” was the catalyst for the patient’s demise. Fortunately, these patients can be diagnosed sooner with CT scans without need for surgery. Many treatments are now available for the treatment of cancer that did not exist even a few years ago.

Misconception: Sugar feeds cancer

Fact: It is never a bad idea to improve your nutrition. Avoiding processed foods and concentrated sugars can make just about everyone feel better. There is no proof, however, once you are diagnosed with cancer a low sugar diet is helpful. Cancer patients are often plagued by weight loss, and restrictive diets can be counterproductive and possibly contribute to weight loss. Starting early in life with good nutrition and avoiding concentrated sugars can lower the risk of obesity, which in turn can lower your risk of cancer.

Misconception: Cancer cannot grow in an alkaline environment

Fact: There is no proof for this. Your body has strong buffers in the bloodstream that prevent changes in your body’s pH. Overcoming this buffer system would require massive amounts of alkaline substances and be dangerous to your health. Your stomach acid is so strongly acidic, the acidity is almost impossible to change with naturally occurring foods or water.

Misconception: If I receive chemotherapy I will be sick for weeks.

Fact: Anti nausea medications have improved. Chemotherapy is no longer what is often portrayed in the media and by Hollywood as a miserable experience. Patients typically do not receive chemotherapy and vomit for two weeks straight. Many patients have no nausea and actually gain weight during treatment.

Misconception: Oral chemotherapy is better tolerated than intravenous chemotherapy.

Fact: Oral chemotherapy is not necessarily better tolerated than intravenous chemotherapy. It has a similar side effect profile, just administered by a different route. Some of the newer cancer therapies that target specific gene mutations are better tolerated than traditional chemotherapy medications.

Misconception: Chemotherapy given in a bigger center is better and more up to date than chemotherapy given locally.

Fact: The FDA approved chemotherapy regimens given in the smallest town in the country is the same chemotherapy given in the biggest, most well known centers.