Cancer Myths

[dandann]

Many myths exist about many medical conditions. Cancer, by far, is the one around which the biggest number of rumors and speculations circulate.

From conspiracy theories and governmental plots as the root cause of cancer, to the notion that once cancer is operated on it turns deadly…. Many myths continue to flourish.

Those myths and rumors, I think, are the results of several factors. The deadly nature of many or most cases of the disease, the many ways it can manifest (rather confusing the problem), the physical, psychological, spiritual, and social distress it can cause, the sense of vulnerability, helplessness, and even guilt that some patients have, and the fact that many physicians from other specialties avoid dealing with cancer-related problems, giving the patient the impression of “nothing we can do”.

I think educating ourselves, each other, and those we know who have cancer about the disease and its dynamics is the best way to help clear these misconceptions. This is the main reason I opened this thread, and I hope to have feedback from everyone interested.

I’ll start with a very common perception that’s particularly prevalent in Lebanon. The perception that if you inform a patient of their diagnosis of cancer, they will not be able to handle it, and they will be debilitated by their depression to the point that they will not want any treatment.

What do you think about that? If (God forbid) a family member of yours gets cancer, would you allow their doctor to tell them? Would you want them to know??? What would you do??

[Chief]

Originally Posted by dandann

If (God forbid) a family member of yours gets cancer, would you allow their doctor to tell them? Would you want them to know??? What would you do??

I am with the opinion of revealing it to the patient and to the family members. This will make the patient more willing to cure, more aware of the medications & treatements he is receiving thus making him stronger in facing the direct and indirect effects of these treatements.

As for the family members, knowing the case of their patient accurately enable them to deal with it in a very mature way, making the move when necessary and supporting the patient when he fails to support himself.

After all, awareness is the key to survive in cancer cases (God Forbids)

C H I E F
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[dandann]

I am with the opinion of revealing it to the patient and to the family members. This will make the patient more willing to cure, more aware of the medications & treatements he is receiving thus making him stronger in facing the direct and indirect effects of these treatements.

Totally agree, It is very important for treatment success and optimal compliance with the therapy for the patient to know exactly what's going on.

In addition cancer treatment might be long and can involve a combination of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and sometimes some form of "maintenance" treatment that can last for years. The patient should be aware of each of these modality's schedule, benefit, and side effects every step of the way.

Imagine someone with what can potentially be a deadly condition, recieving very toxic treatments, experiencing fatigue, weight loss, frequent infections, pain, hair loss (sometimes), all that while being told all he has is "Iltihab"....Would you expect him to stay on the treatment??

[Nattour]

As a cancer patient myself, I appreciated that the doctors were honest with me (that’s the policy in Australia the doctors have to tell you the truth) they explained to me the situation and what I should expect.
After a lot of tests I met with the surgeon who told me what will happen and he went into every single detail and what complication that might happen, after the operation I met with the specialist who in his turn explained to me the next step (radio therapy) and all the side effects.
I this that this was the best approach to the whole thing and I really appreciated the honesty. And the good thing is that I didn’t have to pay a cent and my medication (I have to take it all my life) is subsidised by the government because its cancer medication so that was something less to worry about

[mount_amel]

Originally Posted by Nattour

As a cancer patient myself, I appreciated that the doctors were honest with me (that’s the policy in Australia the doctors have to tell you the truth) they explained to me the situation and what I should expect.
After a lot of tests I met with the surgeon who told me what will happen and he went into every single detail and what complication that might happen, after the operation I met with the specialist who in his turn explained to me the next step (radio therapy) and all the side effects.
I this that this was the best approach to the whole thing and I really appreciated the honesty. And the good thing is that I didn’t have to pay a cent and my medication (I have to take it all my life) is subsidised by the government because its cancer medication so that was something less to worry about

al shefa32 enshallah ..

I am really alwys have this scary nightmares about cancer .. i had a lot of health problem lately but not major , however cancer option didnt leave me till i did all my tests and it all came negative ..

I dont really know what to do with this wiswas ...

It all started when one of the tests came positive from the pathology department , the nurse called me and told me there are abnormal cells found in your biopsy but the doctor wants to do the tests again .. i was going crazy for one week till the results came as bacteria that can be treated in taking some pills ..

But really Nattour , i knw many cancer survivors and you are one of them .. some had it 15 years ago and they did the surgery and couple chemotherapy enjections and now they have children and are doing well ...

Salam

[dandann]

Nattour, Salemtak, and thanks for your testimony...I think this is the healthy way to approach the issue.

Mount Amel, your problem is unfortunately a frequent occurence. Many times patients are told they have something "suspicious" on biopsy specimens, only for the final result to come back totally normal. These are called "false positive" cases. My advice is to disregard any so called "preliminary results". The final pathology result is what matters. Furthermore, sometimes even after the final result is out, it is worth talking your doctor since it might be a good idea to have another pathologist look at the specimen.

Another popular belief about cancer, is that once you recieve the diagnosis of cancer, your dead, and that all possible treatments will only make you live an extra few weeks while making you miserable.

Well it all depends on the type of cancer, and the stage at which it is diagnosed, as well as the age and general health of the patient.
Testicular cancer when adequately treated can be cured in upto 90% of the cases (even if diagnosed at a metastatic stage). On the other hand Metastatic Lung or Pancreatic cancer are incurable, and chemotherapy or radiation are given only in the purpose of improving quality of life and reducing the symptoms.
In addition, we have many new options of treatment for even advanced incurable cancers that can prolong life significantly (upto several years in some cases such as metastatic lung or colon cancer). Of course there are, and will likely always be cases where no treatment works, and the patient dies from his disease rather fast....but this is becoming less and less the rule.

[lebanese_a]

Every sickness have it myths unfortuanatly here in Lebanon.
But if people knew that cancer is not deadly and that it can be treated in many cases they would not be so afraid (of course they will be afraid but not like dandan said: "they will not be able to handle it, and they will be debilitated by their depression to the point that they will not want any treatment") of hearing the news, so telling them will be good it will give them the strengh to do the operations and to fight the cancer and win.

[dandann]

Allright...next point..

What do you think about alternative cancer therapies such as high doses of vitamins, herbal medicines, diet manipulation, tob el3arabi, chinese medicine....??
Again, God forbid any of your family members is dianosed with cancer, would you consider any of those treatments?? What if he/she want to persue that, what would you do ???

[di]

Originally Posted by dandann

Many myths exist about many medical conditions. Cancer, by far, is the one around which the biggest number of rumors and speculations circulate.

From conspiracy theories and governmental plots as the root cause of cancer, to the notion that once cancer is operated on it turns deadly…. Many myths continue to flourish.

Those myths and rumors, I think, are the results of several factors. The deadly nature of many or most cases of the disease, the many ways it can manifest (rather confusing the problem), the physical, psychological, spiritual, and social distress it can cause, the sense of vulnerability, helplessness, and even guilt that some patients have, and the fact that many physicians from other specialties avoid dealing with cancer-related problems, giving the patient the impression of “nothing we can do”.

I think educating ourselves, each other, and those we know who have cancer about the disease and its dynamics is the best way to help clear these misconceptions. This is the main reason I opened this thread, and I hope to have feedback from everyone interested.

I’ll start with a very common perception that’s particularly prevalent in Lebanon. The perception that if you inform a patient of their diagnosis of cancer, they will not be able to handle it, and they will be debilitated by their depression to the point that they will not want any treatment.

What do you think about that? If (God forbid) a family member of yours gets cancer, would you allow their doctor to tell them? Would you want them to know??? What would you do??

Well lets take it like this I personally am against not informing the patient about this .. They have a right to know and incase they dont tell them later it will be a shock to them so might as well inform them straight away when they are diagnosed with cancer .. Especially coz they will need treatment and this treatment isnt like any other its going to be obvious that they have cancer ..
My cousin 36yrs was diagnosed with leukemia and the doctor told him straight out that he has leukemia .. He didnt tell his parents coz he thinks they cant handle this and they will make a big deal out of it ..and also worry too much.
and nag him all the time ..Any ways he is old enough to decide who he wants to tell ..
He is getting professional help In Australia and is on a special diet .. The doctors are telling him every single detail and encourage him telling him everything will be okay if he follows up ..He goes in for checkups monthly and the doctors are always intouch with him to see if he is doing ok ..
As for the other treatments chinese and tobb elarabee and rest Im not sure about it ..If I were diagnosed with cancer maybe I will try everything all kinds of treatments !why not !

[Chief]

Originally Posted by dandann

Allright...next point..

What do you think about alternative cancer therapies such as high doses of vitamins, herbal medicines, diet manipulation, tob el3arabi, chinese medicine....??

I think they are ********.. We are in the era of science not in the era of "tobb 3arabe"

Originally Posted by dandann

Again, God forbid any of your family members is dianosed with cancer, would you consider any of those treatments?? What if he/she want to persue that, what would you do ???

No way, I will deseperatly try to convince him/her that these are ********

C H I E F
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