written by Lauren Murphy, SIU School of Medicine
Myth #1: Breast cancer can’t be prevented.
While it’s true that not all cases of breast cancer can be prevented, research suggests that between 30-40% of cancer cases are, in fact, preventable through diet. Physicians at SIU School of Medicine recommend eating 5-9 daily servings of fruits and vegetables and limiting the amount of fried, greasy or fatty foods you eat. To top off your cancer-preventing efforts, hop on that treadmill! Studies estimate that up to 20% of cancer deaths in women may be caused by obesity or being overweight.
Myth #2: If you feel a lump, you probably have breast cancer.
Listen closely, if you feel a new lump, get it checked out by a doctor! About 80% of lumps in women’s breasts are caused by noncancerous changes, cysts or other conditions, so you probably do not have breast cancer. However, detecting breast cancer early is key, so schedule an appointment with your doc ASAP. Your doctor will likely recommend a mammogram, ultrasound or biopsy.
Myth #3: Breast cancer always displays itself in the form of a lump.
Lumps may certainly indicate the presence of breast cancer, but according to the American Cancer Society, women should be on the lookout for these other signs as well:
Swelling of the breast
Skin irritation or dimpling
Breast or nipple pain
Nipple retraction (turning inwards)
Redness, scaliness or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
Discharge (other than breast milk)
Myth #4: Wearing a bra too often will cause breast cancer.
Supposedly, the underwire from a bra will compress the breasts’ lymphatic system, causing toxins to accumulate. Do not fret, ladies; your Wonderbra is not going to give your girls cancer. Researchers agree: Neither the tightness or your bra, the amount of time you wear a bra nor the type of bra will determine whether you develop breast cancer.
Myth #5: Breast cancer only affects women.
Sure, women are 100 times more likely than men to develop breast cancer, but that doesn’t mean men can’t get it. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 2,360 new cases of breast cancer in males are diagnosed each year, and about 430 men will lose the battle to breast cancer.
Myth #6: If your mom or grandma had breast cancer, you will get it as well.
The good news: only 5-10% of breast cancers are thought to be hereditary. The bad news: roughly 70% of women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer have no identifiable risk factors for the disease. Sadly, that means it’s pretty difficult to predict who will and who won’t develop breast cancer.
Myth #7: Annual mammograms expose women to too much radiation and up your risk of developing cancer.
When you compare the risks associated with radiation exposure to the risk of not discovering breast cancer until it reaches stage 3 or 4, it isn’t a difficult choice. Rest easy, ladies and gentlemen (see #5), radiation from mammography is minimal. A mammogram has the power to detect lumps well before you can, and remember, the earlier breast cancer is detected, the better one’s chances are for survival. Doctors recommend that 40+ women schedule a mammogram annually.
Myth #8: I don’t need to worry about breast cancer until I’m older.
Starting at age 20, women should conduct monthly breast self-examinations, and doctors should perform clinical breast examinations (CBEs) every three years. About 1 out of 8 invasive breast cancers are found in women younger than 45, while about 2 of 3 invasive breast cancers are found in women age 55 or older.
copyright © SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois.