How Risky Is It, Really?

Fear

We Blame External Carcinogens But We Avoid Lifestyle Changes

David Ropeik on February 21, 2024

Mistakenly blaming cancer-causing chemicals and radiation for most cancers lets us avoid the simple lifestyle changes that could protect us from cancer far more.

Mistakenly blaming cancer-causing chemicals and radiation for most cancers lets us avoid the simple lifestyle changes that could protect us from cancer far more.

Fear

Reducing the Harms Caused by Cancer-phobia

David Ropeik on November 20, 2023

Medicine is beginning to recognize how fear of cancer leads to choices that feel right, but do more harm than the disease itself.

Medicine is beginning to recognize how fear of cancer leads to choices that feel right, but do more harm than the disease itself.

Fear

The Impact of Cancerphobia on Society

David Ropeik on November 19, 2023

So many of the choices we make are made to reduce the risk of cancer. But our fear is in some ways excessive, and some of those choices do more harm than good.

So many of the choices we make are made to reduce the risk of cancer. But our fear is in some ways excessive, and some of those choices do more harm than good.

Fear

Cancer-phobia: How Our Fear of Cancer Harms Us

David Ropeik on November 17, 2023

Our deep fear of cancer sometimes exceeds the actual risk and causes harm all by itself.

Our deep fear of cancer sometimes exceeds the actual risk and causes harm all by itself.

Fear

Why Our Cancer-phobia Is Outdated and Harmful

David Ropeik on November 15, 2023

Our fear of cancer is in some ways outdated, excessive, and harmful: a phobia. Understanding the history and psychology of that fear, and recognizing its harms, can help.

Our fear of cancer is in some ways outdated, excessive, and harmful: a phobia. Understanding the history and psychology of that fear, and recognizing its harms, can help.

Fear

Cancer-phobia: Our Fear of Cancer Is Outdated and Harmful

David Ropeik on November 13, 2023

Our fear of cancer is in some ways outdated, excessive, and harmful—a phobia. Understanding the history and psychology of that fear, and recognizing its harms, can help.

Our fear of cancer is in some ways outdated, excessive, and harmful—a phobia. Understanding the history and psychology of that fear, and recognizing its harms, can help.

Fear

Can It Be True? Does Cancer Screening Provide No Net Benefit?

David Ropeik on August 30, 2023

Screening for cancer gives us a sense of power and control over a disease many still see as a death sentence. But screening causes harm, too.

Screening for cancer gives us a sense of power and control over a disease many still see as a death sentence. But screening causes harm, too.

Fear

Surprisingly Cautious News Coverage of Aspartame and Cancer

David Ropeik on July 24, 2023

Another new potential carcinogen, aspartame, is in the news. Only this time, unusually, the news media has reported on the latest cancer scare with caution and context.

Another new potential carcinogen, aspartame, is in the news. Only this time, unusually, the news media has reported on the latest cancer scare with caution and context.

Fear

Consider the Benefits and the Harms of Cancer Screening

David Ropeik on May 4, 2023

Fear of cancer drives many of us to screen for the disease, but few realize that screening may harm as well as help.

Fear of cancer drives many of us to screen for the disease, but few realize that screening may harm as well as help.

Fear

Cancer Deaths Are Down but Cancer Fear Isn't. Why?

David Ropeik on January 17, 2023

The remarkable progress we've made against cancer is not reflected In the public's persistently high fear. Beware that fear. It can harm too.

The remarkable progress we've made against cancer is not reflected In the public's persistently high fear. Beware that fear. It can harm too.

Health

The Harms of Cancer Screening They Don't Warn You About

David Ropeik on October 3, 2022

Is cancer screening always a good idea? It's more complicated than we think.

Is cancer screening always a good idea? It's more complicated than we think.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

How the Instinct for Self-Preservation Fuels Vaccine Refusal

David Ropeik on August 2, 2021

Even when it puts us at risk, loyalty to tribal beliefs can help us feel safe.

Even when it puts us at risk, loyalty to tribal beliefs can help us feel safe.

Fear

Fukushima Redux: Another Example of Radiophobia

David Ropeik on April 19, 2021

Opposition to the release of radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima clean-up into the ocean is based on fear that flies in the face of the facts, and vastly exceeds the risk.

Opposition to the release of radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima clean-up into the ocean is based on fear that flies in the face of the facts, and vastly exceeds the risk.

Fear

Reduced Cancer Screening During COVID: Cause for Alarm?

David Ropeik on March 9, 2021

Our deep fear of cancer, developed decades ago, is now outdated, and doing great harm all by itself. Warnings about reductions in cancer screening because of COVID are one example.

Our deep fear of cancer, developed decades ago, is now outdated, and doing great harm all by itself. Warnings about reductions in cancer screening because of COVID are one example.

Fear

The Deep Fear That Trumps All Others, Including COVID-19

David Ropeik on November 16, 2020

Loyalty to our tribe keeps us safe, until it doesn't.

Loyalty to our tribe keeps us safe, until it doesn't.

Trust

Dangerous Damage to Trust from the Politicization of COVID

David Ropeik on October 1, 2020

The honesty and integrity of federal agencies is being undermined. That could have grave long-term impacts on public health.

The honesty and integrity of federal agencies is being undermined. That could have grave long-term impacts on public health.

Fear

Keeping Our Kids Safe in School, Safe From Our Fears

David Ropeik on September 23, 2020

New evidence suggests that worry over risks to our kids may lead us to do more harm to them through the ways we try to protect them.

New evidence suggests that worry over risks to our kids may lead us to do more harm to them through the ways we try to protect them.

Fear

Should I Stay (Inside) or Should I Go (Back Outside)?

David Ropeik on May 14, 2020

The emotional landscape of the pandemic is shifitng. Fear remains high. But creeping in are the insidious anxieties of not having normal social contact.

The emotional landscape of the pandemic is shifitng. Fear remains high. But creeping in are the insidious anxieties of not having normal social contact.

Fear

As We Head Into Dark Days, a Few Slivers of Light

David Ropeik on April 6, 2020

The death toll from COVID-19 is about to rise with frightening speed. Hard as it is against that fearful count, we need to bear in mind the positives we can find.

The death toll from COVID-19 is about to rise with frightening speed. Hard as it is against that fearful count, we need to bear in mind the positives we can find.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

The Coronavirus Doesn't Care What Party Your Lungs Belong To

David Ropeik on March 16, 2020

There will be plenty of time to play politics with the coronavirus threat later. Doing it now, as things escalate, directly adds to the danger for everyone.

There will be plenty of time to play politics with the coronavirus threat later. Doing it now, as things escalate, directly adds to the danger for everyone.