We cut to the evidence and dispel the myths about cancer  

Bras and breast cancer

Myth: Wearing a bra to bed causes breast cancer.

Cut to the evidence: There are no well-designed research studies that show a link between wearing, or not wearing, a bra and developing breast cancer.

Solariums and cancer

Myth: Solarium tanning is safer than tanning in the sun.  

Cut to the evidence: There is no safe level of solarium use. Solariums emit levels of UV radiation up to three times as strong as the midday summer s un. However, a recent study found that 15 per cent of tanning beds exceed this level, and some emit up to six times more UVA than midday summer sun.

If you use a solarium just once before the age of 35 you've increased your risk of melanoma by 75 per cent however, any tanning, whether from the sun or solariums, is doing your skin damage. Your skin tans because it's trying to defend itself and with each bout of over-exposure to the sun you are damaging skin cells and increasing your risk of skin cancer.

Family history and cancer

Myth:  People are not at risk of cancer if they have no family history. 

Cut to the evidence:  Most cases of cancer are not due to genetics.  One in three Australians will develop cancer in their lifetime.  It is therefore not uncommon for several members of the same family to develop cancer, but in most cases, the cancers will be unrelated. However, for a small number of individuals, their family history suggests they may have a faulty gene, which means their chance of developing cancer is much higher than the average population.  Cancer Council Victoria recommends all Australians should maintain a healthy lifestyle and check for unusual changes and have regular screening tests to cut their risk of cancer.

Heat and skin cancer

Myth:  You don't have to worry about sun protection on cold days.  

Cut to the evidence: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation not temperature causes damage, therefore even on cooler days, the UV level can still be high enough to cause sunburn. This is because UV radiation can penetrate some clouds, and may even be more intense due to reflection from the bottom of the clouds. Don’t rely on temperature when deciding on whether or not you need sun protection. Check the SunSmart UV Alert every day on the SunSmart website or on the free SunSmart app for smartphones and during the sun protection times, remember to: Slip on sun-protective clothing – that covers as much skin as possible; Slop on SPF30+, broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen – put it on 20 minutes before you go outdoors and every two hours afterwards; Slap on a hat – that protects your face, head, neck and ears; Seek shade; Slide on sunglasses – make sure they meet the Australian Standard. Particular care should be taken in the middle of the day when UV levels are most intense.  

Women and bowel cancer

Myth: Only men get bowel cancer.  

Cut to the evidence: Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer in Victoria and it affects men and women. More than 3500 Victorians are diagnosed each year. Bowel cancer is a cancerous growth that usually starts in the lining of the large bowel. It can grow there for a long time before spreading to other parts of the body. This is why the earlier a bowel cancer is found, the better the chance of curing it. There is a 90% chance of cure if the cancer is found at an early stage. You can help to reduce your risk of bowel cancer by:

Symptoms and cancer

Myth: All cancers have symptoms. 

Cut to the evidence:  Many cancers are asymptomatic, or do not have symptoms, and that is why screening is so important. Screening for breast, bowel and cervical cancer saves lives. Women aged 50 to 69 should have a mammogram every two years to screen for breast cancer. If you're over 50, have a bowel cancer screening test every two years. All women aged 18 to 70 who have ever been sexually active should have a Pap test every two years.

Chlorine and cancer

Myth: Drinking and swimming in chlorinated water can cause cancer.  

Cut to the evidence: There is no evidence to support the myth that drinking chlorinated water or swimming in chlorinated pools can cause cancer. However, chlorine and chlorine gas can aggravate respiratory conditions and high concentrations of chlorine can lead to many health complications. 

Dental fillings and cancer

Myth: The mercury from metal dental fillings can escape, travel to organs and cause diseases, including cancer.  

Cut to the current evidence: To date, there is no evidence that amalgam fillings, which can be made of a mixture of mercury with silver, tin, and copper, have any other adverse health effects. The only possible risk is that amalgam dental fillings can sometimes cause local side effects or allergic reactions. These hypersensitivity reactions are rare and can be treated by removing the amalgam filling. There are alternatives to amalgam fillings which can be used if you are still concerned about the carcinogenicity of mercury. However, it is not advised that you remove your current amalgam filling to replace it with another filling.

Deodorants and breast cancer

Myth: Applying deodorant or antiperspirant after shaving causes breast cancer.  

Cut to the current evidence: There is no basis for the myth that applying deodorant or antiperspirant after shaving will increase the risk of cancer.  The Journal of The National Cancer Institute published a study in 2002 exploring the relationship between breast cancers and antiperspirants or deodorants in 1,606 women. The findings did not show an increased risk of cancer among deodorant or antiperspirant users, or among women who shaved before using deodorant or antiperspirant. The American Cancer Society (ACS) states that the main risk related to using these products is that they can cause skin irritation if a razor nick or cut is infected. 

Sunscreen and cancer

Myth: The use of nanotechnology in sunscreen causes cancer.  

Cut to the evidence: The potential for titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles in sunscreens to cause adverse effects depends primarily upon the ability of the nanoparticles to reach viable skin cells. The weight of evidence to date, confirmed by an updated review in 2009 by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, suggests that titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles in sunscreen do not reach viable skin cells; rather, they remain on the surface of the skin and in the outer layer of the skin that is composed of non-viable cells.

Evidence also shows that sunscreen has been proven to reduce the risk of skin cancer – melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer –  so it could in fact be dangerous to your health to ditch the sunscreen.

Skin cancer claims more than 1,830 lives each year in Australia and it's important that sun lovers continue to protect themselves with all five sun protection measures when ultraviolet (UV) radiation is at damaging levels.

But don't rely on sunscreen alone – always combine with clothing, hats, shade and sunglasses too.

Toothpaste and cancer

Myth: The chemicals found in some toothpastes, soaps, shampoos, bath products and moisturisers – sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate – cause cancer.  

Cut to the evidence: There is no evidence for the carcinogenicity of either sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate. National Industrial Chemicals Notifications and Assessment Scheme concludes that irritation is the only health hazard associated with the chemicals. This irritation only occurs at the high doses used in laboratory studies, and is unlikely to occur during normal household use.