The Seven O’Clock Show with Lucy Kennedy and Martin King launched on TV3 last night. Among the show’s firsts guests were Today FM’s Ian Dempsey and the Irish Cancer Society’s Naomi Fitzgibbon who were on to chat about Today FM’s Shave or Dye or Oh My!
Naomi talked Lucy and Martin through some of the most common myths about cancer, from wearing underwire bras to using deodorant.
Check them out here:
Statement: “Cancer can be caused by knocks and bumps”
False: Cuts, bruises, broken bones, etc. do not cause cancer. Sometimes an injury can heighten your awareness of certain areas of the body, making you conscious of a swelling that was already there or a symptom you already had. A person may suffer an injury, see a doctor and coincidentally discover another health problem.
Statement: “Cancer has become a women’s problem”
Myth: We do hear a lot about women’s cancers. In Ireland, breast cancer is the most common cancer for women. Another reason why we seem to hear more of women’s cancers is that breast and cervical screening is publicly available to pick up early changes that could be or could become cancer.
More men die from the cancers that effect both men and women e.g. bowel and lung and melanoma skin cancer. There are cancers that are specific to men e.g. testicular and prostate cancer. For this reason it is equally important for men to be aware of changes in their bodies and if they notice a change talk to their GP.
Statement: “Men can get breast cancer”
True: Men do get breast cancer but it is extremely rare (around 1% - approximately 20 cases in Ireland per year). A painless lump is the most common first symptom of male breast cancer.
Statement: “Tight underpants cause testicular cancer”
False: There is no evidence to support this theory. The old wives tale that masturbation causes testicular or prostate cancer is also false.
Statement: “Self-tanning lotions cause cancer”
False: Self-tanning lotions do not cause cancer. They are made predominantly from sugar molecules. These molecules react with the surface of the skin. This reaction causes colouring of the surface of the skin.
Statement: “Underwire bras do not cause breast cancer”
True: Rumours have suggested that underwire bras cause breast cancer by obstructing lymph flow. There is no scientific or clinical basis for this claim.
Statement: “Wearing deodorant can cause cancer”
False: Anti-perspirants: Rumours have suggested that the chemicals in anti-perspirants are absorbed through the skin, interfere with lymph circulation and cause toxins to accumulate in the breast that eventually lead to breast cancer. There is no evidence to support this rumour. Chemicals in anti-perspirants are tested systematically to ensure their safety.
Statement: “Drinking alcohol can increase your risk of cancer”
True: Most people know that heavy alcohol use can cause health problems. But you may not be aware that alcohol is a known cause of seven types of cancer. You can reduce your chance of getting cancer if you avoid alcohol or only drink a little. Even a small amount of alcohol can increase your risk of cancer. It’s not just people who have a ‘drinking problem’ who are affected. The more you drink, the higher your risk. We now know that drinking alcohol increases your risk of cancer of the mouth, larynx (voicebox), throat, oesophagus (foodpipe), breast, liver and bowel. Alcohol may also increase your risk of pancreatic cancer.
Statement: “If it’s not sunny outside, you don’t have to worry about protecting your skin”
False: Up to 90% of UV rays can get through light clouds so even on cloudy Irish days you need to protect your skin for UV damage from April to September. You can find out what the UV levels are in your area by visiting the Irish Cancer Society UV Index on www.cancer.ie/uvindex. Take extra care when the UV index is 3 or more and follow the SunSmart code.
Statement: “Sharks don’t get cancer”
False: Sharks can get melanoma.
Statement: “A biopsy can cause cancer to spread”
False: A biopsy has no impact on the cancer.
NB: All facts supplied by the Irish Cancer Society
Find out more about Today FM's Shave or Dye or Oh My!
Today FM's annual campaign for the Irish Cancer Society is in its sixth year. There are still many ways to get involved in Today FM's Shave or Dye or Oh My!
