This fact sheet is part of a series developed to assist managers and human resources professionals to manage and support

employees affected by cancer.

Cancer myths and facts

There are many myths about cancer, which can make it difficult for managers and colleagues to talk openly about an employees cancer. This fact sheet provides information on some of the common misconceptions about cancer and its treatment that might be relevant to the workplace.

Myth
Cancer is contagious

Fact
Some people worry that if they have physical contact with someone who has cancer, they could catch it too. The truth is that you cant catch cancer from other people. Cancer treatment greatly reduces the risk of cancer spreading, prolongs survival and, in many cases, cures the cancer. Cancer survival is influenced by factors such as the type of cancer, how early it was diagnosed, access to treatment, as well as a persons age, fitness and medical history. Approximately 65% of people diagnosed with cancer in NSW will still be alive in five years time, and a number of common cancers have survival rates of 80% or greater.1

There is no effective treatment for cancer A cancer diagnosis is a death sentence

Treating a cancer with surgery causes it to spread throughout the body

Specialist surgeons know how to safely take biopsy samples and to remove tumours without causing cancer to spread. The surgeon may remove some healthy tissue around the cancer, to ensure that all of the detectable cancer is removed. For a few types of cancer, surgeons take extra precautions to prevent any chance of it spreading.

If a person is being treated with radiotherapy, they might be radioactive at work

External radiotherapy does not make the patient radioactive. It is safe for him or her to interact with other people during treatment. Implants used in internal radiotherapy (brachytherapy) may send some radiation outside the body. However, by the time a patient is ready to go home from hospital, the radiation in the body will be weak and it will be safe for other people to be with him or her. Bumps, bruises or other injuries do not cause cancer. Sometimes doctors may discover a tumour when they are treating a person for an injury, but it was not the injury that caused the cancer. Chronic inflammatory processes may at times increase the risk of certain cancers, however these instances only account for a small fraction of cases.

Injuries can cause cancer

Cancer myths and facts

Cultural considerations
Social attitudes toward cancer are profoundly affected by cultural beliefs and norms. Many cultures do not speak openly about cancer. This may affect how someone understands cancer and how information is shared. People may think that cancer is contagious, caused by bad luck or always fatal. Others may believe that cancer has been sent to test them. People with cancer may feel ashamed or fear being stigmatised. In some cases, carers and family members of people diagnosed with cancer may not tell the cancer patient that he or she has cancer, effectively cutting the person out of the decision-making process.

The Cancer Council NSW website includes a section where common misconceptions about cancer are discussed. Visit www.cancercouncil.com.au and type myth into the search function.

Further information
Cancer Council website www.cancercouncil.com.au Cancer Council iheard website www.iheard.com.au Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20
1

Source: Cancer in NSW: Incidence and Mortality 2008 (Cancer Institute NSW). Statistics do not include non-melanoma skin cancers.

Workplace Fact Sheet Cancer: an overview

Cancer Council NSW 2012 ABN 51 116 463 846

Questions about cancer? Call 13 11 20