Understanding leukemia

Myths about leukemia

There is a lot of talk about leukemia: “it is contagious”, “sugar feeds it”, “herbs are better than chemotherapy”. Ideas like these can cause needless fear and guilt and, most dangerously, lead people to turn down timely treatment. This topic compares the most common myths with the scientific facts.

Last updated: 3 October 2026~6 min read

Translucent glowing blood cells emerging through slowly lifting fog on a dark navy background, with warm light coming from one side. — **Figure 1.**Concept: facts clear the fog and reveal a clear picture.

01Short answer

Leukemia is not contagious and in most cases is not inherited. It is not a punishment for anything a person did or did not do. Today many types of leukemia respond well to treatment: for example, about 90% of children with ALL live at least 5 years, and life expectancy for people with CML has come close to that of the general population. Eating sugar does not speed up leukemia, although a balanced diet matters. No herbal or “alternative” remedy has been shown to treat leukemia, and some can interact with medicines. Studies show that people who turn down proven treatment in favour of alternative methods alone have a much higher risk of death. The best studies have not confirmed that mobile phones or power lines cause leukemia. If a claim worries you, discuss it with your doctor.

02Simple explanation

Myth: leukemia is contagious. Fact: leukemia does not pass from person to person like a cold. Hugging someone with leukemia, sitting at the same table or caring for them is safe. In fact, during treatment it is the patient who needs protecting from other people’s infections.

Myth: leukemia is a death sentence. Fact: results have improved greatly over recent decades. Most children with ALL reach long-lasting remission, and CML is often kept under control for years with a daily medicine. The outlook depends on the type of leukemia and many other factors.

Myth: sugar “feeds” leukemia. Fact: although cancer cells use a lot of glucose, eating sugar has not been shown to make the disease worse, and cutting it out has not been shown to shrink it. A balanced diet and a healthy weight are still helpful.

Myth: herbs and “natural” remedies can replace chemotherapy. Fact: no herbal product has been shown to treat cancer. Some can weaken medicines or increase side effects. Check any product with your team first.

Myth: if I don’t think positively, treatment will go badly. Fact: according to the NCI, there is no convincing evidence that attitude determines the risk of dying from cancer. Sadness and fear are normal; support helps you live with them.

03Scientific explanation

Survival figures: according to the NCI’s SEER data, 5-year relative survival for all leukemias combined in the US is 68.6% (2016–2022). According to the American Cancer Society, 5-year survival for children with ALL is about 90%. A Swedish study published in JCO in 2016 found that people diagnosed with CML in 2013 lose on average fewer than 3 years of life, mainly thanks to tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Alternative medicine and survival: in a US study published in JNCI in 2018, people with breast, prostate, lung or colorectal cancer who chose alternative methods alone instead of standard treatment had about a 2.5 times higher risk of death. In a JAMA Oncology study from the same year, people using complementary medicine were more likely to refuse standard treatment, and this was linked to worse survival. These studies were not about leukemia, but the principle is the same.

Phones and power lines: according to the NCI, mobile phones give off a low-frequency energy that does not damage genes, and the best studies have not shown a link with cancer risk. The NCI reaches the same conclusion for power lines. Our risk factors topic covers this in more detail.

Stopping medicine on your own: according to the 2020 ELN recommendations, stopping tyrosine kinase inhibitors in CML can be discussed only after a long-lasting deep molecular response, and only in a centre that can provide regular molecular monitoring. “I feel well” is not a reason to stop treatment.

04What happens in the body?

Myth: “I caused my own leukemia”

This is one of the heaviest and most common feelings. In most leukemias, the DNA changes happen by chance as cells divide. There are risk factors, such as smoking and certain chemicals, but even these are not “the cause”; they only change the odds. Stress, an injury or “eating the wrong things” do not cause leukemia. Do not carry guilt alone; share it with your team.

How can you tell fact from myth?

Reliable information usually names its sources, does not promise a “miracle cure” and advises you to talk to your doctor. Warning signs include “the treatment doctors are hiding”, personal stories only, an urge to sell a product, and the words “no side effects”. Printing out what you read and showing it to your doctor is completely normal.

A large translucent lens on a dark navy background; behind it the cells look sharp and clear, while at the edges they are blurred. — **Figure 2.**Reliable information helps separate fact from myth.

Myth: “Herbal teas and vitamins are harmless”

“Natural” does not always mean “safe”. According to the NCI, some herbal products can interfere with how chemotherapy works. For example, some plants change how the liver breaks down medicines, and others raise the risk of bleeding. Complementary approaches (massage, yoga, breathing exercises) sometimes help with side effects, but they do not replace treatment.

Glowing green leaves in a translucent glass vessel next to a translucent medicine capsule on a dark navy background, with a soft line of light between them. — **Figure 3.**“Natural” does not always mean “safe”: check every product with your team.

Myth: “Bone marrow donation is taken from the spine and is very dangerous”

Bone marrow is not the spinal cord. According to the NCI, stem cells can come from the bone marrow, the bloodstream or umbilical cord blood. Today most donors give stem cells from the blood, collected with a special machine; when marrow is taken, it usually comes from the pelvic bone under anaesthetic. Donors usually recover fully.

Myth: “Once I am in remission, I don’t need treatment any more”

Remission is a big step, but consolidation or maintenance treatment is often needed to destroy hidden cells. In chronic leukemias, medicines may be taken for years. Make any decision to stop or change treatment only together with your hematologist.

05How does a myth cause harm?

The path of a false idea (simplified).

1Wrong informationRumours, social media, “miracle” adverts.

2Fear or false hopeNeedless worry or unrealistic hope.

3Wrong decisionTreatment delayed or stopped.

4CorrectionA trustworthy source and an open talk with your doctor.

Trustworthy sourcesNCI, ACS, WHO and your doctor.

Ask questionsDiscuss every doubt with your team.

Keep up treatmentChange the plan only with your doctor.

06Common myths and the facts

Myth	Fact
Leukemia is contagious	It does not pass between people; caring for someone is safe
Leukemia is always fatal	Many types respond well to treatment; the outlook depends on the type
Only children get leukemia	In the US the median age at diagnosis is 68; it is more common in adults
Leukemia is always inherited	Most DNA changes arise during life and are not passed on
Sugar makes leukemia grow	No studies show this; a balanced diet matters
Herbs can replace treatment	No plant product has been shown to treat cancer
Phones cause leukemia	The best studies have not confirmed this
A bone marrow test is a needle in the spine	Marrow is usually taken from the pelvic bone; the spinal cord is not touched

* This table is for general understanding. Discuss any claim that worries you with your hematology team.

07Key terms

Myth: A widespread but scientifically wrong idea.
Risk factor: Something that makes a disease more likely but does not necessarily cause it.
Contagious: Able to pass from person to person.
Survival: The share of people still alive after a set time.
Alternative medicine: Methods used instead of proven treatment.
Complementary medicine: Methods used alongside standard treatment for comfort.
Interaction: When one substance changes how a medicine works.
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor: A group of targeted medicines used in CML.
Stem cell donation: Giving blood-forming stem cells for a transplant.
Remission: A decrease in or disappearance of the signs of leukemia after treatment.

08Key points

Leukemia is not contagious and is usually not inherited.
Leukemia is nobody’s fault.
Many types of leukemia respond well to treatment today.
Eating sugar does not speed up leukemia.
Herbal products do not replace treatment, and some can be harmful.
Turning down proven treatment for alternative methods is dangerous.
Do not stop your medicines on your own.
Discuss doubtful information with your doctor.

09Frequently asked questions

Can my children be in the same room as me?

Yes. Leukemia is not contagious. Only if your children are ill (flu, chickenpox and so on) may you need to keep some distance for a while to protect yourself from infection.

Can I eat sweets during treatment?

Sugar does not speed up leukemia. But some treatments (for example, steroids) raise blood sugar, and you may need specific dietary advice. Talk to your team about nutrition.

A friend says a herbal tea cured them. Can I try it?

Personal stories are not proof. No herbal product has been shown to treat leukemia. If you want to try something, tell your hematologist first so that interactions with your medicines can be checked.

Does leukemia always come back?

No. Many people stay in long-term remission. The risk of relapse depends on the type of leukemia, its genetic features and the response to treatment.

Is chemotherapy worse than the disease?

Chemotherapy side effects can be serious, but most are temporary and can be managed. Acute leukemia without treatment, on the other hand, usually gets worse quickly. Talk openly with your doctor about benefits and risks.

Will my disease get worse because I am stressed?

According to the NCI, the evidence that stress directly affects survival is weak. But stress harms sleep, appetite and quality of life, so getting support is worthwhile.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

Is this claim I read actually true?
Could herbs or "natural" remedies harm my treatment?
Is what I heard about the causes of leukemia scientifically correct?
Which sources can I trust?

My questions

12Sources

National Cancer Institute (NCI). Common Cancer Myths and Misconceptions
National Cancer Institute (NCI). Cell Phones and Cancer Risk
National Cancer Institute (NCI). Electromagnetic Fields and Cancer
National Cancer Institute (NCI). Psychological Stress and Cancer
National Cancer Institute (NCI). Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
National Cancer Institute (NCI). Stem Cell Transplants in Cancer Treatment
National Cancer Institute (NCI), SEER. Cancer Stat Facts: Leukemia
American Cancer Society. Prognostic Factors and Survival Rates for Childhood Leukemia
American Cancer Society. Integrative and Complementary Medicine
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. About Herbs, Botanicals & Other Products
Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2018. Johnson SB et al. Use of Alternative Medicine for Cancer and Its Impact on Survival
JAMA Oncology, 2018. Johnson SB et al. Complementary Medicine, Refusal of Conventional Cancer Therapy, and Survival Among Patients With Curable Cancers
Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2016. Bower H et al. Life Expectancy of Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Approaches the Life Expectancy of the General Population
Leukemia, 2020. European LeukemiaNet 2020 recommendations for treating chronic myeloid leukemia

Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.

Last updated: 3 October 2026← Back to the list

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