Cancer awareness campaigns and research increase our tools and knowledge about this disease. It no longer has to be a death sentence, especially if caught early.
“People can increase their chances of early detection by getting regular screenings for the most common cancers,” said Dr. Roshani Patel, MD, FACSis a breast surgical oncologist and medical director of the Breast Program at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Hackensack Meridian.
Yet for all the knowledge and tools we’ve gained over the past few decades about cancer risk reduction, screening, detection and treatment, Dr. Patel tells us procession Some cancer myths still exist. While there are certainly some reputable sources on the internet, you can’t trust everything you read.
“It’s human nature to look for information on the Internet so people can be more informed about health care decisions,” she said. “The problem is that those who are less familiar with technology and its benefits and pitfalls can publish inaccurate articles and information.”
The consequences of cancer myths can be devastating. “People may decide not to pursue standard treatments that are effective for a problem,” Dr. Patel reports. “As a result, the disease may not be adequately treated or detected early. When we diagnose the problem later, we may not be able to treat the problem as effectively as if we catch it early.”
Cancer still kills hundreds of thousands of Americans every year. Knowing the truth can save lives. That’s why she says there’s one cancer myth she hopes to dispel. Read on to find out what it is.
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Oncologists hope to dispel common cancer myths
Dr. Patel wants people to stop believing that cancer always has obvious symptoms. Often, cancer has no symptoms, especially in its early stages when your body is more likely to respond well to treatment. Dr. Patel is concerned and has seen firsthand how this cancer myth can have a devastating impact as it deceives people into believing they do not need life-saving and routine preventive care.
“Small cancers in the early stages may not cause symptoms, which is why we screen for cancer,” she explains. “If we don’t monitor the cancer, it will grow and continue to spread until it becomes noticeable.”
The phrase “Mammograms save lives” is not just a slogan, it’s a fact. 2024 Journal of Medical Screening Research shows that Swedish women who have regular mammograms have a 66% lower risk of dying from breast cancer compared with women who do not have regular mammograms.
One of the reasons why regular screenings improve survival rates is that they give the medical team the opportunity to implement a treatment plan that stops the cancer from developing.
“When cancer has spread to other places, patients may experience ‘late symptoms’ such as shortness of breath,” Dr. Patel shared. “For example, if a patient comes in for evaluation for shortness of breath, the scan will focus on the lungs, when in fact they may have cancer that has spread or metastasized to the lungs.”
Take colon cancer, for example. The American Cancer Society reports that if the infection is discovered when it is localized (it has not yet spread), the relative survival rate is 91%. However, if it spreads to distant organs, that number plummets to a relative five-year survival rate of 13%.
People who have cancer in their family may be more aware of the need for screening. However, people who don’t have much cancer in their DNA may think the symptoms are something else, even if they do occur.
“Sometimes, if patients don’t have a family history, they may not think they have cancer and may mistake a lump for an infection,” says Dr. Patel. “They don’t seek expert advice and may be viewed as infected by people who don’t have expertise on the specific issue.”
It can delay accurate diagnosis and life-changing treatment.
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Fast, regular care, especially cancer screenings, can save your life
Because cancer can develop without symptoms, it’s important to get screened for eligibility and discuss other risk factors, such as family history and habits like smoking, with your healthcare provider, Dr. Patel said. The goal is not to shame or panic you, but to help you get the care you need when you need it. When it comes to screening, there are general guidelines and exceptions.
“It’s best to talk to your healthcare provider to determine the screening schedule that works best for you based on your health history, family medical history and other factors,” Dr. Patel says.
To help you get started, she explains how to test for three of the most common cancers today: breast cancer, colon cancer, melanoma, and other forms of skin cancer.
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breast cancer: Starting at age 40, moderate-risk women should have yearly mammograms (or ultrasounds if the tissue is dense). Women at high risk (genetic risk, history of chest wall radiation before age 30, etc.) should have annual breast screening with MRI starting at age 25 and mammography starting at age 30, with or without ultrasound screening based on breast density. “The interval between MRI and ultrasound mammography should be six months,” adds Dr. Patel.
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Colon cancer: Colonoscopies are no fun, but according to the American Cancer Society, people at average risk need one every 10 years, starting at age 45. For people with a family history of colon cancer or polyps—[considered] High risk – colonoscopies should be started at age 40 or 10 years before the youngest affected relative,” Dr. Patel emphasized.
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Melanoma and other forms of skin cancer: Dr. Patel recommends regular skin exams by a dermatologist. Additionally, she recommends marking any moles or freckles that have irregular borders and shapes, unusual colors, crusting, bleeding, or lengths longer than a pencil eraser. “These are signs that something is wrong,” she explains. “If you’re checking yourself in the mirror, ask a friend or even your hairdresser or barber to check your scalp. Don’t forget to check between your toes and other areas of skin that aren’t exposed to the sun.”
That said, if you notice symptoms, talk to your healthcare team.
“Your doctor should order imaging and testing based on your symptoms and refer you to a specialist or team of specialists who can fast-track your care and potentially save your life,” notes Dr. Patel.
It may also not be cancer at all. But at least you’ve checked out and hopefully you’re feeling better.
Next:
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Source:
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Dr. Roshani Patel, MD, FACS, breast surgical oncologist and medical director of the Breast Program at Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Hackensack
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Cancer statistics. National Cancer Institute.
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Beneficial impact of repeated participation in breast cancer screening on survival. Journal of Medical Screening.
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Colorectal cancer survival rates. American Cancer Society.
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Breast Cancer: Screening. USPS Task Force.
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American Cancer Society colorectal cancer screening guidelines. American Cancer Society.
This article was originally published by Parade on February 7, 2026, and first appeared in the Health & Wellness section. Click here to add Parade as a preferred source.
