Breast Cancer Myths

Top 10 myths of breast cancer debunked

1. Myth: Breast cancer is a “white person’s” disease and only affects older women. The fact is that women and men of all ages are at risk for developing breast cancer.

Fact: Breast cancer occurs in African, Asian and Coloured communities, but due to cultural beliefs and misinformation, it is not dealt with as openly or as early as could be in some cases. While it’s true that your breast cancer risk increases as you get older, the fact is that women of all ages are at risk for developing breast cancer.

2. Myth: If a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer she will lose her breast and must have chemo.

Fact: Not all breast cancers are treated in exactly the same way and mastectomy and chemotherapy are neither automatic nor the only treatment modalities. A breast cancer diagnosis is not a medical emergency, and all options must be considered and discussed with your physician. Seek a second opinion if unsure.

3. Myth: The women who are at risk for breast cancer are those with a family history, those who have not breast-fed their children or those who have not had children.

Fact: While a family history of breast cancer can mean that a woman is at higher than average risk of developing breast cancer, more than 50% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no identifiable risk factors for the disease. The majority of women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer have had children, and the children were breast-fed.

4. Myth: A lump in your breast means you have breast cancer and breast cancer only presents as a painful lump on the breast.

Fact: Most women have lumps in their breast and most lumps are not cancerous and in general, 80% of lumps are caused by benign (non-cancerous) changes in the breast. This percentage tends to fluctuate with age. Also, not all breast cancer presents as a painful lump on the centre of the breast, often there is no lump and no pain. Lumps occur towards and in the armpit, as there is breast tissue there as well. Other forms are Piaget’s nipple disease, inflammatory breast disease, etc. Check for irregular continuous changes to your breasts. ALL new and unusual lumps or breast changes should be evaluated as soon as possible by your physician.

5. Myth: The following causes breast cancer: underarm deodorant, underwire bras, kiddies bite to the breast, cellphones and money tucked in the bra, pesticides, lawn chemicals, and/or dry cleaning services, breast injuries, breast implants and breast reconstructions.

Fact: These are just rumors and have no reliable clinical studies in large sample groups to prove conclusively that there is a link between these causes and breast cancer.

6. Myth: I don’t want to go for a mammogram because it causes breast cancer.

Fact: A mammogram is a safe procedure that uses extremely low levels of radiation to create detailed images of the breast. Only a minute amount of radiation is used during this screening and diagnostic procedure. Radiation exposure during a mammogram is equivalent to radiation exposure on an airplane flight.

7. Myth: If the sonar or scan is negative, there is nothing else to worry about.

Fact: The ability to identify a cancerous lump on a scan or mammogram is largely dependent on the accuracy of the person reading the slide. If you feel a lump, and are not satisfied with the report, you can have a biopsy to establish conclusively the nature of the lump.

8. Myth: Only women get breast cancer, men don’t get breast cancer.

Fact: Men have breast tissue and although the incidence compared to women is very low, men do in fact get breast cancer.

9. Myth: A breast cancer diagnosis is an automatic death sentence.

Fact: Wrong! Most women who are diagnosed with cancer do not die from the disease. Breast cancer is highly curable for women who are diagnosed early. 95% of patients are alive 10yrs down the line. Beyond 10yrs statistics are no longer retained.

10. Myth: Breast cancer is preventable.

Fact: There is no known prevention for breast cancer. Early detection and prompt treatment offers you the best successful chance against the disease.