SPOTLIGHT: Study examines cancer myths, conspiracy theories

People, it seems, do not trust their doctors very much anymore. Last week there was news that many Americans still believe that the small amounts of mercury contained in some vaccines causes autism. Now comes a poll which suggests that Americans are equally misinformed about cancer. According to research in this week's issue of the journal Cancer, a majority of Americans think "surgery can spread cancer." About one-quarter believe a cure for cancer has been found, but "the medical industry won't tell the public about it because they make too much money treating cancer patients." Story