There are many myths about cancer in the public mind. Will you counter some of these myths with facts?

Here are five common myths about cancer:

• Myth No. 1: Cancer is caused by an injury, bump, or bruise.
  Fact: Scientists still do not fully understand what causes cancer. But it is clear that cancer is not caused by an injury, bump, or bruise. Also, being infected with certain viruses may increase the risk of some types of cancer, but cancer is not contagious. No one can catch cancer from another person.

• Myth No. 2: Tanning beds are a safe way to get a tan.
  Fact: Artificial sources of UV radiation, such a sunlamps and tanning booths, can cause skin cancer.

• Myth No. 3: Women who have no history of breast cancer in their families and no risk factors for breast cancer do not have to worry about the disease.
  Fact: Not having any of the known risk factors for breast cancer does not mean that you are safe. Most women who develop breast cancer do not fall into any special high-risk category.

• Myth No. 4: Older women do not need to have Pap tests.
  Fact: All women age 18 and older should have regular checkups, including a pelvic exam and a Pap test. Women who have had a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus, including the cervix) should talk with their doctor about having pelvic exams and Pap tests.

• Myth No. 5: Cigar smoking is safer than cigarette smoking.
  Fact: Scientific evidence has shown that cancers of the lip, tongue, mouth, throat, larynx, lung, and esophagus are linked with cigar smoking.

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