Myths About Breast Cancer
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: Using antiperspirants causes breast
cancer.
Fact: There is no evidence that the active ingredient in antiperspirants
or reducing perspiration from the underarm area influences breast
cancer risk.
Myth: Coffee increases a woman’s risk
of breast cancer.
Fact: Coffee does not cause breast cancer, and in several studies
with rats, coffee has been shown to actually prevent cancer.
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.
