1. I don’t want to waste my GPs time – your GP wants to see you if notice something which isn’t right for you such as a a persistent cough that worsens or changes, breathlessness, and unexplained weight loss, just to mention a few!
  2. Cancer always leads to death - Wrong – survival rates for many cancers have improved significantly due to early detection and treatment advancements. The earlier we can diagnosis cancer the better the survival rates are. 
  3. I am a person of colour, so I am not at risk of skin cancer. Regardless of skin tone and type, exposure to UV radiation from the sun and other artificial sources, such as a sunbed, can cause permanent damage to the skin, such as skin cancer. question mark sign
  4. Cancer is contagious – this is not the cause, cancer is not caused by a virus or bacteria it cannot be passed from person to person. 
  5. Cancer is always caused by something someone did: There are many factors contribute to cancer development, including genetics, lifestyle choices, and environment exposures.
  6. If you have had the HPV vaccine you do not need to have regular cervical screening – WRONG Even if you’ve had the HPV vaccine, you still need to attend cervical screening. The HPV vaccine does not protect against all HPV
  7. Cervical Screening is painful –it should not be painful, but it can be uncomfortable for some. You can ask for a smaller speculum to reduce the likelihood of it being painful. Talk to the nurse about your concerns, make time to make screening work for you!
  8. You do not need to do anything special down there for your smear, you don’t have to be waxed! The nurse just wants to ensure she gets enough cervical cells for a successful screening test; she does not care what about what your down below area  looks like.  ​​​​​​
  9. If I am male, I don’t qualify for the HPV vaccine – wrong – the vaccine is offered to boys and girls aged 12-13 as part of the NHS vaccine programme. Additionally, men who have sex with men up to age 45 are eligible to receive the vaccine at specialist Sexual Health Services. HPV can also cause other cancers in Men, including anal, oral and penile cancer – the vaccine helps prevents these cancers.
  10. As a male if I find a lump on my chest, I don’t need to do anything – wrong – men have breast tissue too and therefore the lump would need to be assessed by your GP.
  11. Cancer only affects old people: Cancer can affect people of all ages, though the risk does increase with age.
  12. Cancer is contagious – this is not the case, and it’s safe to be around someone with cancer.