"Carrots help you see in the dark" and Other Half-True Health Myths

Carrots help you see in the dark. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis.

Many old health myths were technically rooted in a fact but got changed, generalized, or taken so far out of context that the original information is no longer clear.

Today’s health myths often follow the same pattern, especially on the Internet where vast amounts of health information can be altered or taken out of context and it becomes very hard to distinguish fact from fiction.

Not everything you read is completely wrong… but it’s not always completely right either.

Some claims are based on early lab studies, the kinds done in mice or in cells in a petri dish. Other claims may only apply to people with rare genetic mutations, specific health conditions, or other criteria that may be untested or completely unrelated to your diagnosis.

When it comes to managing a cancer diagnosis, getting the facts right really matters. Your understanding of your disease, your treatment options, and the pros and cons of each choice can affect your care, your quality of life, and even your chances of survival.

It’s a lot to consider! But you don’t have to figure it all out alone. In addition to your care team, there are many resources with real, reliable information you can trust.

We asked leading kidney cancer experts – including doctors and patient advocates – to help separate fact from fiction and bust some of the most common myths with real, reliable information you can trust.

Have a question that wasn’t answered here? Connect with our Patient Navigator Program for all your kidney cancer questions.

Dr. Bradley Leibovich, Urologic Oncologist and Chair of the KCA’s Board of Directors

Joel Stern, Patient Advocate and KCA Board Member

Sid Sadler, Patient Advocate