Giving Up Sugar and Folk Remedies Won’t Cure Cancer: Debunking Myths with Evidence-Based Medicine

Cancer is not just a medical issue but also a social one. A lack of knowledge, fear, and misconceptions surrounding this disease lead to numerous myths, which prevent people from properly understanding the diagnosis, making informed decisions, and trusting evidence-based medicine. In this article, we will explore the origins of these myths and explain how new treatment protocols allow effective combat against this condition.

Myth 1. Cancer is Incurable

The perception of cancer as a death sentence dates back to the previous century. Movie plotlines with predictable tragic endings, the publicized struggles of celebrities, and late-stage diagnoses have all perpetuated this stereotype.

Modern oncology focuses on early detection and personalized treatment, offering impressive advances. For instance, while the five-year survival rate for breast cancer in the 1970s was about 60%, today it exceeds 90%. 3D tomosynthesis mammography can detect tumors smaller than 1 mm. Women at high genetic risk (e.g., those with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations) have access to regular preventive screenings using cutting-edge equipment. They may also opt for prophylactic measures, such as mastectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy, in consultation with a medical team. These interventions can significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer.

“The issue is not that cancer is incurable but that many patients seek medical help too late. Unfortunately, people often endure symptoms instead of consulting a doctor,” says Marianna Sharypova, Medical Director of Hospitality MedService, physician.

Even late-stage cancer can be treated effectively. A noteworthy example is a novel approach to prostate cancer treatment using the radiopharmaceutical Lutetium-177. This compound targets prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a protein actively expressed by prostate cancer cells. Lutetium-177 delivers a radioactive payload directly to tumor sites, destroying them with minimal impact on healthy tissues. Studies show this therapy can reduce disease progression by 38% and extend the lives of patients with metastatic prostate cancer.

For more on which factors influence the success of treatment at advanced stages and when remission is possible, see our article «When Cancer is Detected Late: Is Remission Possible?».

Myth 2. Cancer is Contagious

The only hypothetical scenario where cancer cells might be “transmitted” is organ transplantation from a donor with cancer. Even then, calling cancer contagious is inaccurate. The risk of cancer developing in the recipient is extremely low — just 2 cases per 10,000 operations — and is related to immunosuppression rather than disease transmission.

Cancer cannot be contracted through touch, shared utensils, or airborne transmission. It is not an infection but a result of genetic mutations within the body’s cells. However, some viruses can significantly increase the risk of cancer.

One of the most well-known examples is the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is linked to 70% of cervical cancer cases and some types of throat, penile, and anal cancers. HPV vaccination is a highly effective preventive measure, reducing the likelihood of associated cancers. The most recognized vaccines are Gardasil and Cervarix. WHO studies show that mass vaccination of adolescents under 26 years old reduces cervical cancer risk by 87%. To learn who should consider genetic testing for cancer predisposition and how vaccination fits into a prevention program, see our article «Cancer Prevention: Genetic Testing and Vaccination».

Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can cause chronic inflammation, which may lead to liver cancer. Vaccination against hepatitis B is included in many national immunization schedules and is a key preventive measure. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been associated with certain types of lymphomas. EBV, the cause of infectious mononucleosis or “kissing disease,” infects B-lymphocytes and remains latent in the body. When the immune system weakens, the virus can reactivate, leading to uncontrolled cell division and Hodgkin’s or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Bacterial infections, such as Helicobacter pylori, are also linked to cancer. H. pylori causes chronic inflammation of the stomach lining, increasing the risk of gastric cancer. Persistent inflammation damages the protective mucosa, leading to atrophic and structural cellular changes that can result in malignancy. Regular gastroscopy with H. pylori testing can detect and treat the infection early, significantly reducing cancer risk through antibiotics and acid-lowering medications.

In conclusion, cancer is not directly transmissible, but preventive measures like vaccination and medical check-ups are crucial in combating virus- and bacteria-associated cancers.

Myth 3. Sugar as “Fuel for Tumors”

The myth that sugar “feeds” cancer cells originated in alternative medicine circles due to the observation that malignant cells consume more glucose. However, avoiding sugar will not starve the tumor; cancer cell metabolism is far more complex. The body cannot simply “cut off” glucose to tumors, as it will produce glucose from proteins and fats even during strict carbohydrate restriction.

A 2019 study published in Nature Reviews Cancer demonstrated that cutting sugar does not inhibit tumor growth but may weaken the patient. Restricting carbohydrates often leads to weight loss, which can be critical for patients undergoing chemotherapy.

A balanced diet — including vegetables, whole grains, moderate amounts of protein and fats — is the best approach. Excessive sugar intake is indeed harmful, but primarily as a factor in obesity and diabetes, not as a direct cancer risk. Proper nutrition supports the body during chemotherapy, boosts immunity, and prevents malnutrition. 

Myth 4. Chemotherapy Harms the Body More than Cancer

The portrayal of chemotherapy as an ordeal stems from its side effects, such as hair loss, nausea, and fatigue. While the treatment can indeed be challenging, avoiding it often leaves patients with minimal chances of survival. This misconception has led some to believe that therapy is more harmful than the disease itself. However, modern chemotherapy protocols are increasingly personalized and less toxic.

Medications that mitigate side effects, from anti-nausea drugs to treatments that prevent hair loss, are now widely available. For instance, scalp cooling during chemotherapy has proven effective in preserving hair. Cooling caps, such as the Paxman Scalp Cooling System, maintain scalp temperature at approximately 20°C. This constricts blood vessels and reduces the amount of chemotherapy drug reaching the hair follicles. Clinical trials demonstrate that patients retain up to 50% of their hair using this method.

Myth 5. Folk Remedies as an Alternative to Treatment

The popularity of folk remedies stems from fear of conventional medicine and a desperate hope for miraculous cures. Unfortunately, charlatans and unethical organizations exploit these myths to promote pseudoscientific treatments, which are often not only ineffective but also harmful.

For example, the idea that baking soda can “alkalize” the body to kill cancer cells is unfounded. Studies reveal that tumors adapt to changes in acidity, while soda can harm the stomach and kidneys. Similarly, herbs like celandine and hemlock, commonly used in alternative medicine, contain toxic substances that can cause poisoning.

Another widespread but hazardous method is the Gerson diet, which eliminates proteins and emphasizes detoxification. Such restrictive diets weaken the immune system and cause dehydration.

Scientific evidence is unequivocal: folk remedies do not cure cancer. Moreover, rejecting evidence-based medicine significantly increases the risk of poor outcomes.

Myth 6. Mobile Phone Usage Causes Cancer

This myth is based on fears that radiofrequency waves emitted by mobile phones might promote cancer, particularly brain tumors. However, extensive research has not established such a connection.

Mobile phones emit non-ionizing radiation, meaning these waves lack the energy to damage DNA or induce mutations that could lead to cancer. The WHO and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classify radiofrequency radiation as “possibly carcinogenic.” While this sounds alarming, it is important to note that this category also includes pickled vegetables and night-shift work.

One of the largest studies, the Million Women Study in the UK, found no increased risk of brain tumors among women who had used mobile phones for extended periods. Similar results were observed in a Danish study involving over 350,000 participants, which also reported no association between mobile phone use and brain cancer.

Scientists continue to investigate the long-term effects of radiofrequency exposure, but current evidence supports the conclusion that mobile phones are not a cancer risk. To further minimize exposure, users can opt for hands-free devices or speakerphone mode, though these measures are precautionary rather than essential.

Myth 7. Biopsy or Tumor Removal Triggers Metastasis

This myth is particularly frightening, as it suggests that medical intervention could do more harm than good. However, modern research and clinical evidence refute this claim.

Metastasis is a complex process involving cancer cells, the circulatory and lymphatic systems, and the tumor’s microenvironment. For a cancer cell to spread, establish itself in a new location, and grow, mechanical disruption alone is insufficient.

Studies, such as those published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, confirm that biopsies do not increase the risk of spreading cancer cells. On the contrary, biopsies are crucial for accurate diagnosis, allowing physicians to determine the cancer type, aggressiveness, and appropriate treatment plan.

Surgical removal of the primary tumor reduces rather than increases the risk of metastasis. This has been validated by major studies; for instance, in early-stage breast cancer, surgical removal lowers the likelihood of metastases by more than 40%.

The occurrence of metastases after surgery can be puzzling to patients, but this is not caused by the procedure itself. Microscopic tumor particles may have been present before surgery, too small to detect at the time.

Modern techniques, such as the use of protective agents (e.g., anti-angiogenic drugs) before or after surgery, further minimize metastasis risk.