Common myths about Breast Cancer one should not believe

Breast Cancer Overview:

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer that starts in your breast. It might begin in one of your breasts or both. Breast cancer might be symptomized by breast pain or breast tenderness and swelling. If diagnosed in the early stages, breast cancer is treatable. Breast cancer is a breast disease, and several myths are associated with it that you should not believe. If you experience any symptoms, you should immediately discuss them with your doctor instead of being alarmed by rumors.

Common myths about breast cancer you should not believe

1. Myth: If you don’t have a family history of breast cancer, you won’t get it.

Fact: Most people who have breast cancer have no family history. Breast cancer is not just an inherited disease. In reality, a large percentage of breast cancers are not hereditary. Only about 5-10% of people diagnosed with breast cancer had it in their family. There are several other risk factors, such as obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption that contribute to a person developing breast cancer. However, if you do have a history of breast cancer in your family, it is important to regularly self-examine yourself and go for cancer screenings.

2. Myth: If you have a healthy lifestyle, you don’t need to worry about getting breast cancer

Fact: Although eating a balanced diet, reducing alcohol consumption, and exercising all contribute to lowering your risk of breast cancer, they do not completely prevent it. It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and lower your risk as much as possible, but there is always the chance that you could still develop breast cancer.

3. Myth: Only women get breast cancer

Fact: This is a big myth about breast cancer. Although it is rare, men can also get breast cancer as they also have breast tissues. Male breast cancer is more common among older men, although it is possible for men of any age to get it. Many breast cancer symptoms in women are the same in men. These symptoms include a lump/swelling in the breast, nipple discharge, and red/flaky breast skin, irritation/dipping on the skin. Conditions that affect the prostate can also increase the likelihood of a man getting breast cancer.

4. Myth: Breast cancer only affects older women

Fact: Although the majority of breast cancers happen to women older than 50, breast cancer can affect anyone at any age. The risk of getting breast cancer does increase as you age, but that does not mean that young women and men cannot get breast cancer. Women of all ages must conduct self-examinations, paying attention to the several breast cancer symptoms and signs, which include a lump/mass in the breast, nipple discharge, change in breast color, redness or flakiness in the skin around the breast, change in the size or shape of the breast, and inverted nipples. Self-examinations are not always enough, and breast cancer symptoms are often only prominent after a few months, so it is necessary for women of all ages to get screened for breast cancer.

5. Myth: A lump on your breast means that you have breast cancer

Fact: A lump on your breast does not necessarily mean that you have breast cancer. While having lumps on your breasts is a symptom of breast cancer, there also exist many non-cancerous lumps. There is a greater chance that the lump on your breast is non-cancerous and actually just a benign lump. Two common benign lumps are cysts, which occur most often in women aged 35-50 and women undergoing menopause, and breast abscesses, a sore lump accompanied by fever and tiredness. Before concluding what type of lump you have, you must see a doctor for proper screening and check-up.

6. Myth: Deodorants and antiperspirants cause breast cancer

Fact: The myth of deodorants and antiperspirants causing cancer is a very popular but untrue one. Many people think the harmful chemicals in the products get absorbed into the lymph nodes and spread to the breast cells, causing cancer. However, there is no evidence linking either antiperspirant or deodorant to breast cancer. Antiperspirants and deodorants are safe to use.

7. Myth: There will always be a lump to indicate breast cancer

Fact: Every lump on the breast does not equate to 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, but they will not always be accurate as you are not always able to feel a lump with breast cancer. There are several other breast cancer symptoms that can indicate breast cancer, such as changes to the nipple and its surrounding area, nipple discharge, swelling of the skin, and change in color or in the thickening of the breast. It is important to watch out for other signs and symptoms and book a consultation with a doctor if you see any of them. Lumps can take time to develop. By the time you feel a lump on your breast, it can mean you have had breast cancer for months or even years.

8. Myth: Breast cancer has only one treatment option

Fact: As with other cancers, breast cancer treatment is specific to every person and how cancer affects them. The different factors on which breast cancer treatment depends include the size, stage, and grade of cancer, whether the cancer is linked to an inherited genetic mutation, whether the cancer is fuelled by hormones, and more. Surgery, chemotherapy, target therapy, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy are all breast cancer treatments.

9. Myth: A mammogram can cause breast cancer

Fact: There is no evidence to suggest that mammograms can cause breast cancer. The best way to detect breast cancer is by having routine mammograms. Women aged 40 and above should have a mammogram every year.

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