Myths and Facts about Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the cells of the breast tissue. It is one of the most common types of cancer among women worldwide, and in rare cases, it can also affect men. Breast cancer is characterized by the growth of abnormal cells that can form a lump or a mass in the breast tissue. Cancer can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated, making early detection and treatment essential for successful outcomes. Breast cancer screening and awareness programs have been successful in improving survival rates, but more research is needed to understand the causes and risk factors of the disease.

 

1. Myth: Finding a lump in your breast may be indicative of breast cancer.

FACT: Most breast lumps are benign (noncancerous) and are caused by changes, cysts, or other conditions. Breast tissue is changing all the time due to fluctuating hormone levels, especially during times of menstruation and breastfeeding. It’s pertinent to do regular self checkups and be aware of how your breasts normally look and feel, and know what changes to look for.

 

2. Myth: Feeling pain in your breast is a symptom of breast cancer.

FACT: Although some do, most breast cancers do not cause pain in the breast area. Many women experience breast pain in the week leading up to their period which usually goes away after menstruation.  Other breast conditions, such as mastitis (an infection of the tissue of the breast that happens most frequently during breastfeeding), may cause more sudden pain.

If you have breast pain that’s severe or persists and is not related to the menstrual cycle, you should consult a doctor.

 

3. Myth: Breast cancer is a hereditary disease.

FACT: Only 5% to 10% of breast cancers are thought to be hereditary, whereas the other 90% are largely due to lifestyle and environmental factors.

However, genetic testing can help you understand your inherited risk and allow you to make choices about your future care accordingly. Some high-risk women also choose to have a prophylactic mastectomy beforehand to decrease their risk altogether.

 

4. Myth: Only women get breast cancer.

FACT: Although the incidence of breast cancer in women is significantly higher than in males, men can also get breast cancer. Many people don’t think men have breasts, but in fact, both men and women have breast tissue, although men have much smaller amounts than women. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, men carry a higher mortality than females, fundamentally because there is not enough awareness among men and they are less likely to assume a lump is breast cancer, which may cause a delay in seeking treatment.

 

5. Myth: Wearing an underwire bra causes breast cancer. 

FACT: Claims that underwire bras are a cause of breast cancer have been widely debunked as unscientific. According to the myth, wearing your bra for too long daily prevents your pores from being able to breathe as a result of which sweat accumulates leading toxins to build up which are believed to cause breast cancer.

 

6. Myth: Antiperspirants and deodorants cause breast cancer.

FACT: Researchers are not aware of any evidence linking the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants and the subsequent development of breast cancer.

 

7. Myth: Breast cancer can spread because of a mammogram.

FACT: A mammogram, or x-ray of the breast, is primarily used for the early detection of breast cancer. The benefits of mammography outweigh the potential harm from radiation exposure since mammograms require very small doses of radiation. The risk of harm from this radiation exposure is extremely low and cannot cause breast cancer to spread.

 

8. Myth: Breast cancer only occurs in post-menopausal women.

FACT: While it is correct that the older a woman is, the higher her breast cancer risk becomes, breast cancer also occurs in younger women too.

In young women, breast cancer tends to be diagnosed in its later stages and be more aggressive as a result of which they have a higher mortality rate and higher risk of metastatic recurrence.

 

9. Myth: A lump is a primary indicator of breast cancer.

FACT: Every lump on the breast is not indicative of breast cancer, and every instance of breast cancer does not feature a lump either. Self-examinations are important ways of checking yourself for signs of breast cancer and looking for symptoms that can indicate breast cancer such as changes to the nipple and its surrounding area, swelling of the skin, nipple discharge, and change in the color or in the thickening of the breast. It is pertinent to watch out for other signs and symptoms and book a consultation with a doctor if you find any. Lumps can take some time to develop and by the time you feel a lump on your breast, it can mean you have had breast cancer for months or even years and the condition has become serious.

 

10. Myth: Breast cancer has only one treatment option.

FACT: Like with other cancers, treatment for breast cancer is specific to every person. The different factors that breast cancer treatment differs according to to include the size, stage, grade of cancer, and more. Some of the options for breast cancer treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, target therapy, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy.