MYTHS AND FACTS REGARDING CANCERMYTH-1 cancer is contagiousFACTS- no cancer is not a communicable disease.MYTH-2 I won't get cancer, as I have no family historyFACTS- only 5-10% cancer are hereditary and one can have cancer even without family history.Unhealthy lifestyle is major reason of cancer.MYTH-3 immediate treatment after diagnosis of cancerFACTS- after diagnosis your doctor. assesses the stage and type of cancer through investigation which may take time.eg, Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia CLL is type of blood cancer that may not require treatment based on stageMYTH-4 elders are too old to receive cancer treatment.FACTS- cancer treatment has no age limit. Limitation is based on the presence of comorbid medical conditions.

Today 4th February is celebrated worldwide as a day to bring awareness regarding cancer. The theme for the years 2016-2018 is " we can i can ". Healthy lifestyle will go long way in preventing cancer. Proper implementation and knowledge sharing regarding availability of preventive screening programs for breast, cervical , prostate , lung and colon cancer will go a long way in early diagnosis and improved outcome India. Both smokeless tobacco and smoked tobacco are main contributors to growing cancer burden and avoiding tobacco in any form is the first step that can be taken in preventing cancer.