15 Breast Cancer Myths You Didn’t Know About!

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer affecting women in Asia. How many times have we heard stuff like these making the rounds…? “If your mom had breast cancer, you might be destined to get it as well” “Wearing tight bras can lead to breast cancer over a period of time”. Myths like these abound when it comes to breast cancer. Read on to clear the myths and rumours surrounding this disease.

1.MYTH

Finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer.

FACT

Only a small percentage of breast lumps turn out to be cancer.  But if you discover a persistent lump in your breast or notice any changes in breast tissue, it should never be ignored. It is very important that you see a physician for a clinical breast exam. He or she may possibly order breast imaging studies to determine if this lump is of concern or not.

Take charge of your health by performing routine breast self-exams, establishing ongoing communication with your doctor, getting an annual clinical breast exam, and scheduling your routine screening mammograms.

2. MYTH

If you have a family history of breast cancer, you are likely to develop breast cancer, too.

FACT

While women who have a family history of breast cancer are in a higher risk group, most women who have breast cancer have no family history. Statistically, only about 10% of individuals diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of this disease.

• If you have a first degree relative with breast cancer: If you have a mother, daughter, or sister who developed breast cancer below the age of 50, you should consider some form of regular diagnostic breast imaging starting 10 years before the age of your relative’s diagnosis.
• If you have a second degree relative with breast cancer: If you have had a grandmother or aunt who was diagnosed with breast cancer, your risk increases slightly, but it is not in the same risk category as those who have a first degree relative with breast cancer.
• If you have multiple generations diagnosed with breast cancer on the same side of the family for if there are several individuals who are first degree relatives to one another, or several family members diagnosed under age 50, the probability increases that there is a breast cancer gene contributing to the cause of this familial history.

3. MYTH
Breast cancer affects only older women

FACT 

Most women assume that breast cancer occurs after menopause. This is true in developed countries where 80% of breast cancer cases happen post-menopause. According to statistics by the World Health Organisation, 7% of breast cancer cases in Malaysia occur in women under the age of 35; 14% occur in women under 40 and 28% in women under 45. Almost half (48%) of the cases occur in women in Malaysia under the age of 50.That’s before women even think they are at risk.

4. MYTH

Men do not get breast cancer; it affects women only.

FACT

Quite the contrary, each year it is estimated that approximately 2,190 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 410 will die. While this percentage is still small, men should also check themselves periodically by doing a breast self-exam while in the shower and reporting any changes to their physicians.

Breast cancer in men is usually detected as a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola.  Men carry a higher mortality than women do, primarily because awareness among men is less and they are less likely to assume a lump is breast cancer, which can cause a delay in seeking treatment.

5. MYTH
Breast screening prevents breast cancer

FACT
No, breast screening only helps detect the presence of breast cancer.

Myths and Facts

6. MYTH

A mammogram can cause breast cancer to spread.

FACT

A mammogram, or x-ray of the breast, currently remains the gold standard for the early detection of breast cancer. Breast compression while getting a mammogram cannot cause cancer to spread. The benefits of mammography, however, nearly always outweigh the potential harm from the radiation exposure. Mammograms require very small doses of radiation. The risk of harm from this radiation exposure is extremely low.

The standard recommendation is an annual mammographic screening for women beginning at age 40. Base your decision on your physician’s recommendation and be sure to discuss any remaining questions or concerns you may have with your physician.

7. MYTH
There is not much difference between Conventional Mammogram & Full field digital mammogram

FACT
Full Field Digital Mammography has revolutionised early detection of breast cancer. Its major advantages are less radiation, less discomfort and, most importantly, superior accuracy, particularly in young women, with dense breasts in detecting early and subtle symptoms of the disease.

8. MYTH

Breast cancer is contagious.

FACT

You cannot catch breast cancer or transfer it to someone else’s body. Breast cancer is the result of uncontrolled cell growth of mutated cells that begin to spread into other tissues within the breast. However, you can reduce your risk by practicing a healthy lifestyle, being aware of the risk factors, and following an early detection plan so that you will be diagnosed early if breast cancer were to occur.

9. MYTH

If the gene mutation BRCA1 or BRCA2 is detected in your DNA, you will definitely develop breast cancer.

FACT

According to the National Cancer Institute, regarding families who are known to carry BRCA1 or BRCA2, “not every woman in such families carries a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, and not every cancer in such families is linked to a harmful mutation in one of these genes. Furthermore, not every woman who has a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation will develop breast and/or ovarian cancer.

But, a woman who has inherited a harmful mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 is about five times more likely to develop breast cancer than a woman who does not have such a mutation.” For people who discover they have the harmful mutation, there are various proactive measures that can be done to reduce risk. These include taking a hormonal therapy called Tamoxifen or deciding to take a surgical prevention approach which is to have bilateral prophylactic mastectomies, usually done with reconstruction.  Most women will also have ovaries and fallopian tubes removed as well since there is no reliable screening test for the early stages of developing ovarian cancer.

10. MYTH

Antiperspirants and deodorants cause breast cancer.

FACT

Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) are not aware of any conclusive evidence linking the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants and the subsequent development of breast cancer.

11. MYTH 
We know what causes breast cancer

FACT
We do not know what causes breast cancer. There are, however, well-recognised risk factors. Being a woman and advancing age are the two most important factors. Other known risk factors are: Previously diagnosed breast cancer in the same or other breast, a strong family history of breast cancer, early onset of menstrual period before the age of 12, late menopause after the age of 55, not having children or having the first child after the age of 30, long-term use of hormone replacement therapy, obesity or being overweight, particularly after menopause.

However, even if you have one of the strongest risk factors, it is not certain that you will get the disease.

12. MYTH 
Breastfeeding prevents breast cancer.

FACT 
Breastfeeding does not prevent breast cancer but reduces the risk.

13. MYTH
Birth control pills cause breast cancer.

FACT
Modern-day birth control pills contain a low dose of oestrogen and progesterone and are, hence, not associated with an increased risk of getting breast cancer.

14. MYTH
An injury to the breast can cause breast cancer

FACT
Injuries to the breast do not cause breast cancer.

15. MYTH
Breast cancer screening is effective in all age groups

FACT
Whilst it is important for women of all ages to be aware of breast cancer, breast screening is effective only in women over the age of 40 years. Routine breast screening for women under 40 and without symptoms is not effective.

If you are looking to get yourselves checked, visit Columbia Asia Hospital Petaling Jaya for their Pink October campaign!

SOURCE:

National Cancer Institute

Tags