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Cancer > Breast Cancer Myths
What you don't know CAN hurt you. Arm yourself with the
facts. Here are common myths and misconceptions about breast
cancer:
Myth:
Only women get breast cancer.
Fact:
Though far less common than in women, it is possible for men
to develop breast cancer. In a study, it is estimated that
1,400 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and
approximately 400 will die.
Myth:
Only women with a family history of breast cancer are at
risk.
Fact:
While a family history of breast cancer can mean that a
woman is at higher than average risk of developing breast
cancer, about 80% of women who get breast cancer have no
known family history of the disease.
Myth:
Breast cancer only affects older women.
Fact:
While it's true that the risk of breast cancer increases as
a woman grow older, breast cancer can occur at any age. As a
woman’s age increases, her risk of getting breast cancer
also increases.
Myth:
Breast cancer is a communicable disease (spreads by air,
drinking from the same cup as someone else, etc.).
Fact:
Breast cancer is the result of uncontrolled cell growth in
your own body. Changes in one woman’s cells cannot affect
the cells of another woman.
Myth:
Finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer.
Fact:
In general, 80% of lumps are caused by benign
(non-cancerous) changes in the breast. It is still important
for women to report any breast abnormality to their
physician. Early detection always is the best form of
prevention.
Myth:
Wearing a bra is good for your breasts and may help prevent
cancer.
Fact:
women who wear tight-fitting bras 24 hours a day are 125
times more likely to have breast cancer than women who do
not wear bras at all.
Myth:
Using antiperspirants causes breast cancer.
Fact:
There is growing evidence that the active ingredients in
antiperspirants influencreses breast cancer risk,
more.
Myth:
Coffee increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer.
Opinions:
Coffee does not cause breast cancer, and in several studies
with rats, coffee has been shown to actually prevent cancer
but other research disputes this.
Myth:
Birth control pills cause breast cancer.
Fact:
Though oral contraceptives do contain small amounts of
estrogen and progesterone (hormones often linked with
increased risk over time), the amount of these hormones is
too small to be associated with an increased risk of breast
cancer
Myth:
Mammography is 100% accurate in early breast cancer
detection.
Fact:
Mammography is the most accurate screening tool for best
cancer. It is estimated that mammography detects 85% to 90%
of all breast cancers. While the vast majority of
abnormalities are detected by mammography, some are simply
not detectable.
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Disclaimer:
All Information is provided for
educational purposes only and not intended
to be used for any therapeutic purpose, neither is it intended to diagnose,
prevent, treat or cure any disease. Please consult a health care
professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
While all attempts have been made to ensure the accuracy of this information,
The Health Information Network does not accept any responsibility for any errors or ommissions.
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