Fact or Fabrication: Five Persistent Cancer Myths

The oldest description of cancer was discovered in Egypt, dating as far back as 3000 BC. The document titled Edwin Smith Papyrus was an ancient textbook on trauma surgery. The wordsmith described eight cases of tumors of the breast that were removed by cauterization, then further exclaiming that “there is no treatment.” Although the word “cancer” was not mentioned in the text, the description of the disease highlighted distinct resemblances to breast cancer.

With ongoing discoveries in science and technology, it is safe to say that we have come a long way since then. Our understanding of cancer …read more