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How Risky Is It, Really?

Why our fears don't always match the facts

Fear
Great News on Breast Cancer Is Hidden by Alarmist Reporting

David Ropeik on October 7, 2024

A new report on breast cancer carries positive news, and negative news, and the negative is getting far more attention, fueling our outdated fear of "the C word."

A new report on breast cancer carries positive news, and negative news, and the negative is getting far more attention, fueling our outdated fear of "the C word."

Fear
Why You May Not Be Optimizing Your Cancer Protection

David Ropeik on July 24, 2024

We fear environmental carcinogens more than the effects of our own behaviors that experts say raise our risk of cancer much more.

We fear environmental carcinogens more than the effects of our own behaviors that experts say raise our risk of cancer much more.

Fear
Progress in the Fight Against Cancer-Phobia

David Ropeik on May 13, 2024

Fear of cancer can lead to choices that are harmful all by themselves. Doctors, who swear to "Do no harm," are finally recognizing the harms of what has been called cancerphobia.

Fear of cancer can lead to choices that are harmful all by themselves. Doctors, who swear to "Do no harm," are finally recognizing the harms of what has been called cancerphobia.

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
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
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
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.

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
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.