Breast Cancer Myths: Know the Facts

These days breast cancer affects so many families, that we all can say that we know someone who’s been touched by it.

Despite this, there are many myths cirulating about the disease.  If we are to protect ourselves properly, we obviously need to be aware of the facts.  Knowing the enemy is the first step to overcoming them. Here are 10 of the most popular myths surrounding breast cancer.

1. Only Women Get Breast Cancer

   

   The American Cancer Society estimates that about 450 men die of breast cancer every year. 

2. Younger Women Do Not Get Breast Cancer

   

   According to Breast Cancer.org, one woman in 231, will get breast cancer between the ages of 0-39. Of course, the risk increases as the woman gets older, at which time the odds increase to 1 in 7, which is frighteningly high

3. A High-Fat Diet Causes Breast Cancer

    

   Comprehensive studies were conducted to find a connection between eating high-fat foods and the occurrence of cancer. No such connection was found.  While avoiding high-fat foods is obviously a healthy choice, there is no evidence of them actually causing cancerous cells.

4. Small-Breasted Women Are Less Likely to Get Breast Cancer

   

   This is not true, there is evidence of many small breasted women contracting the disease.  The amount of tissue in the breast is not indicative of the susceptibility of the disease.

5. You Won’t Get Breast Cancer if it Doesn’t Run in Your Family

   

   The risk of breast cancer may or may not be higher if it runs in your family (it doesn’t follow that you will get it if your mother did). On the other hand, there is documented proof that  about 80% of women who get breast cancer, have no relatives with a history of the disease.

6. The Radiation from Annual Mammograms will Eventually Cause Cancer

   

   According to the American College of Radiology, the benefits of annual mammograms, outweigh  any risk that may occur from the tiny amount of radiation used in the mammogram process.

7. Antiperspirants Cause Cancer

   

   There is simply no evidence of antiperspirants causing breast cancer, or influencing the risk of the disease.

8. If I’m Diagnosed with Breast Cancer, I’ll Die

   

   This is one of the biggest myths about the disease, as 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer recover with careful treatment.

9. Breast Cancer Always Presents as a Lump

    

   Any change of appearance is important when it comes to the breast.  Cancers can present in the form of a bloody discharge, dimpling, puckering, or skin irritation on the breast and nipples.

10. Coffee Drinkers Have an Increased Risk of Breast Cancer

    

      This is still a topic of contention, as some scientists believe that coffee can cause minor, benign swelling in the breast.  On the other hand, studies with mice seemed to have indicated that coffee actually prevents breast cancer.  The verdict is still out on this one, but one thing that is almost certain, is that coffee drinkers are not at a higher risk for getting breast cancer than their caffeine-free counterparts.

As with all health issues, if you are concerned about your own health, make an appointment with your doctor or health advisor and do not under any circumstances, try to self diagnose.  Breast cancer sufferers will tell you that early detection of cancer is the important factor that saved their lives. Act today, even if you need to merely book a routine check-up.