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Cancer treatment myths: Any truth to these common beliefs?

Myth: A needle biopsy can disturb cancer cells, causing them to travel to other parts of the body

Truth: For most types of cancer, there's no conclusive evidence that a needle biopsy, a procedure used to diagnose many types of cancer, causes cancer cells to spread.

But there are times when a biopsy could make cancer cells spread. Healthcare professionals know this is true for certain kinds of cancer. For example, a needle biopsy usually isn't used in diagnosing testicular cancer. Instead, if a healthcare professional suspects testicular cancer, they may suggest surgery to remove the testicle.