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Olubukola Ayodele: Fighting Cancer Misinformation – Myths and Facts

Olubukola Ayodele/LinkedIn

Jun 10, 2025, 22:40

Olubukola Ayodele: Fighting Cancer Misinformation – Myths and Facts

Olubukola Ayodele, Consultant Medical Oncologist at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, posted on LinkedIn:

“Misinformation spreads faster than facts, especially when fear is involved.

As a breast oncologist, I’ve seen how deeply health misinformation affects people’s decisions, trust and outcomes. From “chemo kills faster than cancer” to “if you eat clean, you won’t get breast cancer”. I hear these myths every week in clinic.

Let’s be clear:

No, cancer is not always a death sentence.
No, rubbing herbs or oils on your breast will not dissolve a lump.
No, you don’t need to “stay positive” for your treatment to work.
And no, mammograms do not cause cancer, they detect it.

These narratives aren’t just inaccurate, they are dangerous. They delay diagnosis. They shame patients. They create fear where there should be understanding. That’s why we must shift from cancer awareness to cancer literacy.

Awareness is knowing cancer exists. Literacy is understanding risk factors, symptoms, when to seek help, and what treatment options mean.

It’s knowing that:

Early detection saves lives.
A lump isn’t always cancer but it must be checked.
Breast cancer can happen to young women, men, and even those with no family history.
Side effects are real but manageable, with the right support.

The truth is: if we don’t tell people the facts, someone else will tell them a LIE. As doctors, we don’t just fight disease, we fight disinformation. And we can’t do it alone.

Here’s how we all can help:

If you’re a survivor, share your story, your voice holds power.
If you’re unsure about something you’ve read online, ask your doctor or nurse.
If you’re in the media or public health, focus on clear, culturally appropriate education.
And if you’re a loved one supporting someone with cancer, listen without judgment.

In a world full of headlines, hashtags and hearsay, health literacy saves lives.\ Let’s be louder than the myths. Let’s make the truth viral. Keep up the cancer conversations.”

Olubukola Ayodele