Cancer Week Ireland is taking place from Monday 24 to Sunday 30 September 2018
Debunking some of the many myths that exist around cancer is one of the main aims of Cancer Week 2018 which kicked off Monday 24th September.
Irish Cancer Society Head of Research Dr. Robert O’Connor says “Health is big business and we are constantly bombarded with information on health matters. Currently our media is awash with ‘alternative facts’, and the area of cancer care is unfortunately no different:
- The internet is full of myths about what does and does not cause cancer – from fluoride in our water to our mobile phones, neither of which causes cancer.
- Unregulated ‘nutritionists’ and celebrities endorse so-called ‘superfoods’ or particular fad diets as an aid to their cancer treatment. In reality, strict dietary regimes can do real damage to a cancer patient’s ability to fight their disease.
- Various so-called cancer ‘cures’ are touted online and on social media, but none of these have any evidence base, and are often produced in an unregulated manner, meaning we may not know what’s actually in them.
“When a person is diagnosed with cancer it can have a devastating effect on their lives and those of loved ones and friends. With a range of emotions and anxieties about what the future may hold, it is understandable for many patients to feel overwhelmed by information as they set out on their treatment journey.
“When someone is diagnosed, their doctor will outline the medical treatments available to them, but we know most patients will seek further information – often online. Unfortunately, most of this information does not come from qualified professionals and may in fact do more harm than good.”
“Ultimately, we have to respect our health. If our car breaks down, we don’t rely on information from unreliable sources to get it back on the road – we get an expert mechanic to find out what’s wrong and make the necessary repairs.
“We need to think the same way when it comes to our bodies. When something’s wrong, we need to get proper support and guidance from professionals and accurate evidence-based supports.
“Events like Cancer Week help to address the misinformation that’s out there and encourage people to get their information from reliable sources. It’s important to contact trustworthy sources such as the Irish Cancer Society’s Cancer Nurseline (1800 200 700), our 13 Daffodil Centres, our website www.cancer.ie and qualified dieticians and oncologists who are aware of the patient’s own personal treatment plans and requirements.”
Cancer Week Ireland 2018 takes place from Monday, September 24 to Sunday September 30. Initiated by the Irish Cancer Society and Trinity College Dublin, Cancer Week Ireland is about getting everyone talking about cancer, about how we can prevent it, spot it earlier, improve treatment, and survive and thrive after a diagnosis.
With over 20 Cancer Week events taking place across the country, the public is encouraged to get involved by visitingcancerweek.ie to find activities happening in their local area.
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