November 20, 2025
At the Cancer Confusion and Education event I attended, I learned how common (and sometimes believable) cancer myths can be. One example that stood out was the idea that lung cancer only affects people who smoke. The speakers explained that misconceptions spread easily because many people stop studying science after high school, and confusing or frightening information tends to get more attention on social media. I also found it interesting how having any explanation, even an incorrect one, can make people feel more in control when facing something as scary as cancer.
I also learned that there are more than 100 types of cancer. This can be caused by DNA mutations such as duplications, deletions, or translocations. After attending the event, I have a stronger understanding of why sources, like medical organizations, PubMed, or articles written by doctors, are so important when researching cancer and other diseases.
