How Risky Is It, Really?

Alcoholism

Will Cancer Warnings on Alcoholic Beverages Save Lives?

David Ropeik on January 13, 2025

Cancer warnings on alcoholic beverages may not have the impact proponents hope.

Cancer warnings on alcoholic beverages may not have the impact proponents hope.

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on breast cancer carries positive news, and negative news, and the negative is getting far more attention, fueling our outdated fear of "the C word."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on breast cancer carries positive news, and negative news, and the negative is getting far more attention, fueling our outdated fear of "the C word."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

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.