Breast Cancer: Facts and Myths
Written by Morgan VanBibber, an undergraduate student at UNCW and a Public Health intern at Going Beyond the Pink. *Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.
Breast cancer is a well-known and talked about type of cancer, but there are still so many misconceptions about it. Myths are often circulated online, distorting women’s understanding of breast cancer. Make sure you know the facts about breast cancer!
Check out this book “Breast Cancer: Myths & Facts: What You Need to Know”: https://amzn.to/3LUrweW
Going Beyond the Pink’s Education Hub is full of authoritative content from the experts on breast cancer. Learn more about breast cancer here: https://www.goingbeyondthepink.org/educationhub/understandingbreastcancer
Breast Cancer: Facts or Myths?
Click on the topics below to explore these breast cancer facts and myths.
-
MYTH - Only about 10%-15% of breast cancer diagnoses are related to known genetic mutations. Lifestyle and environment are significant contributors to your cancer risk. That said, we are in a renaissance of learning when it comes to genetic information. Scientists are regularly identifying Variants of Unknown Significance (VUS) during genetic testing. While lifestyle and environment are critical to cancer prevention, knowing your family medical history is really important. Make sure to update yours regularly and communicate with your physician about it.
-
MYTH - The National Breast Cancer Foundation mentions that each year it is estimated that approximately 2,190 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer. While breast cancer is more common in women, approximately 1 in every 833 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
Learn more about male breast cancer here: https://www.goingbeyondthepink.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-breast-cancer?rq=male
-
FACT, kind of… - There are several different authorities in the field and each provides a slightly different age at which to begin screenings. The American College of Radiology recommends annual screening mammograms for all women over the age of 40. Other organizations say screening mammograms should begin at 45. It is important to note that people with a history of early breast cancer in their family should get a baseline mammogram 10yrs prior to the age at which their first-degree relative was diagnosed. For instance, if your mom was diagnosed at age 40 with breast cancer, you should start screening at age 30.
Take a look at this GBTP blog about screening options - including mammograms! https://www.goingbeyondthepink.org/blog/importance-of-regular-breast-cancer-screenings?rq=prevention
-
MYTH - The Jordan Breast Cancer Program mentions that generally, 80% of breast lumps are benign and nothing to worry about. Remember that breast tissue is normally lumpy, bumpy, and stringy. It is important to do self-checks regularly so you become familiar with what is normal for you. If you find something out of the ordinary, and can’t point to a particular cause (like an injury or illness), then you should consult with your physician.
-
MYTH - Although there is not a way to completely prevent breast cancer, there are many things that you can do to reduce your risk. These include limiting alcohol consumption, maintain a healthy weight and diet, be more physically active, limit postmenopausal hormone therapy, avoid environmental toxins, and don’t smoke.
-
MYTH - Birth control does not entirely cause breast cancer, but it can increase your risk. Susan G Komen mentions that birth control pills are linked to a slight increase in risk by 20-30% compared to women who’ve never taken birth control.
-
MYTH - You may have heard that trauma to the breast can cause breast cancer. However, there is no data available that supports a link between injury and breast cancer.
-
MYTH - You might have overheard someone claim that wearing a bra causes breast cancer due to obstruction to lymph flow. However, there is no scientific evidence that supports that claim. The idea behind this is that the rubbing and friction of the underwire can irritate and inflame the tissue in the breast and obstruct lymph flow. While there isn’t any scientific evidence to support this, it is worth noting that there are lots of supportive bras on the market that do not have underwires.
-
MYTH - The Maurer Foundation tells you that sugar does not directly cause breast cancer. However, high intake of processed sugars can cause weight gain and can lead to obesity. Obesity increases the risk for a variety of cancers, including breast cancer.
Did any of these facts and myths surprise you?
Check out BreastCancer.Org for more common myths about breast cancer.
https://www.breastcancer.org/facts-statistics/myths-vs-facts