Cancer Myths and Facts Quiz: What Causes and Doesn't Cause Cancer

Quiz: Cancer Myths and Facts

Question 1/8
If you get cancer, it's usually because someone in your family had cancer.
- a
  True
- b
  False
Answer 1/8
If you get cancer, it's usually because someone in your family had cancer.
- You answered:
- The Correct Answer:
Half of men and one-third of women in the U.S. will get the disease at some point. But only about 5%-10% of cases are linked to genes from parents.

The bottom line: Doctors aren't sure why some people get sick and others don't. It's not just about your family history of cancer.
Question 2/8
Which food is linked to colon cancer?
Answer 2/8
Which food is linked to colon cancer?
- You answered:
- The Correct Answer:
People who eat a lot of processed meats, such as hot dogs and lunch meat, are more likely to get colon cancer. The link isn't completely clear, but it might be because of nitrites. Those are chemicals added to food to stop bacteria and preserve color.

Red meat also is linked to colon cancer. In general, try to limit how much you eat. Instead, choose other kinds of protein, such as chicken, fish, or beans.
Question 3/8
Heavy drinking can raise your chances of getting cancer.
- a
  True
- b
  False
Answer 3/8
Heavy drinking can raise your chances of getting cancer.
- You answered:
- The Correct Answer:
Alcohol may make you more likely to get mouth, liver, colon, breast, and other cancers. It doesn't matter if you go for beer, wine, or liquor when you belly up to the bar. It's how much you have that counts. The more you drink, the higher your risk.

If booze is already part of your life, stick to no more than two drinks a day if you're a man and one a day if you're a woman.
Question 4/8
Artificial sweeteners can cause cancer.
- a
  True
- b
  False
Answer 4/8
Artificial sweeteners can cause cancer.
- You answered:
- The Correct Answer:
There's no evidence that the stuff in those little pink, blue, yellow, or green packets cause the disease. Studies don't show a link between aspartame (blue), saccharin (pink), or sucralose (yellow) and cancer in people.

Newer sugar substitutes, such as sorbitol, agave, and stevia (green), also appear to be safe.
Question 5/8
Antiperspirants make you more likely to get breast cancer.
- a
  True
- b
  False
Answer 5/8
Antiperspirants make you more likely to get breast cancer.
- You answered:
- The Correct Answer:
It's safe to use an antiperspirant or deodorant.

There aren't any strong studies that suggest you have a greater chance of getting breast cancer if you use them.
Question 6/8
Which of these may help ease nausea in people getting cancer treatment?
Answer 6/8
Which of these may help ease nausea in people getting cancer treatment?
- You answered:
- The Correct Answer:
It can help when you're sick to your stomach during chemotherapy. It may also be useful if you have a dry mouth after radiation therapy.

If you're getting treated for cancer and want to try acupuncture, let your doctor know.
Question 7/8
For most cancers, a biopsy will cause cancer cells to spread.
- a
  True
- b
  False
Answer 7/8
For most cancers, a biopsy will cause cancer cells to spread.
- You answered:
- The Correct Answer:
During a biopsy, a doctor takes a small sample of cells from your body to check it for cancer. With most types of the disease, it's very unlikely that this procedure will cause cancer to spread.
Question 8/8
What can you do to lower your chance of getting cancer?
Answer 8/8
What can you do to lower your chance of getting cancer?
- You answered:
- The Correct Answer:
Along with healthy eating and managing your weight, it can make you less likely to get certain cancers, including breast and colon cancer.

Still, even if you are active, get any routine cancer tests that your doctor recommends.
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Reviewed by Melinda Ratini, MS, DO on May 10, 2016

Sources

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

Yellow Dog Productions / Getty

SOURCES:

Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania: "Breast Cancer Myths and Facts."

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: "Sweet Taste - Without the Calories."

American Cancer Society: "Acupuncture," "Alcohol Use and Cancer," "Antiperspirants and breast cancer risk." "Dietary Supplements: How to Know What is Safe," "Does surgery cause cancer to spread?" "Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention," "Questions People Ask About Cancer."

American Institute for Cancer Research: "Recommendations for Cancer Prevention."

Johns Hopkins Medicine: "Heart Health Special Report."

Kidshealth.org: "Cancer basics."

National Cancer Institute: "What is cancer?"

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: "Cancer and Complementary Health Approaches."

Uptodate.com: "Patient information: Ovarian cancer diagnosis and staging (Beyond the Basics)."

This tool does not provide medical advice. See additional information

THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the WebMD Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.

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Quiz: Cancer Myths and Facts

If you get cancer, it's usually because someone in your family had cancer.

If you get cancer, it's usually because someone in your family had cancer.

Which food is linked to colon cancer?

Which food is linked to colon cancer?

Heavy drinking can raise your chances of getting cancer.

Heavy drinking can raise your chances of getting cancer.

Artificial sweeteners can cause cancer.

Artificial sweeteners can cause cancer.

Antiperspirants make you more likely to get breast cancer.

Antiperspirants make you more likely to get breast cancer.

Which of these may help ease nausea in people getting cancer treatment?

Which of these may help ease nausea in people getting cancer treatment?

For most cancers, a biopsy will cause cancer cells to spread.

For most cancers, a biopsy will cause cancer cells to spread.

What can you do to lower your chance of getting cancer?

What can you do to lower your chance of getting cancer?

From WebMD

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Quiz: Cancer Myths and Facts

If you get cancer, it's usually because someone in your family had cancer.

If you get cancer, it's usually because someone in your family had cancer.

Which food is linked to colon cancer?

Which food is linked to colon cancer?

Heavy drinking can raise your chances of getting cancer.

Heavy drinking can raise your chances of getting cancer.

Artificial sweeteners can cause cancer.

Artificial sweeteners can cause cancer.

Antiperspirants make you more likely to get breast cancer.

Antiperspirants make you more likely to get breast cancer.

Which of these may help ease nausea in people getting cancer treatment?

Which of these may help ease nausea in people getting cancer treatment?

For most cancers, a biopsy will cause cancer cells to spread.

For most cancers, a biopsy will cause cancer cells to spread.

What can you do to lower your chance of getting cancer?

What can you do to lower your chance of getting cancer?

From WebMD

More on Prevention and Early Detection

Health Solutions From Our Sponsors