Myths about Breast Cancer
“Fear and Confusion are at the heart of various myths about Breast Cancer”
No woman needs to be alone when it comes to understanding breast cancer. It is important to separate fact from fiction to help yourself and others who are facing this disease.
MYTH 1: If I get it, I’m going to die. REALITY: The number of women diagnosed with breast cancer has decreased significantly. Many breast cancer survivors are now celebrating 10, 20, 30 or more years of being “cancer-free,” which is certainly a cause for celebration. Breast cancer mortality rates have actually decreased 27 percent from 1990 to 2005. Although no one knows the exact cause of the disease, many attribute it to the introduction of better treatments.
MYTH 2: If my mother had breast cancer, I'll get it too. REALITY: If your mother or sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, your chances of getting the disease are doubled -- that is to say if, with no family history, you would have had a 1.5 percent chance of developing the disease in the next five years, then with your history, your chance rises to 3 percent.
MYTH 3: If I have no family history and I exercise, eat right, and don't smoke, I probably won't get breast cancer. REALITY: Unfortunately, this is not the case. About 70 percent of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have no identifiable risk factors. Go ahead and exercise, eat a low-fat diet, avoid tobacco and drink alcohol only in moderation, because all those things will certainly help guard against heart disease, diabetes, and other life-threatening conditions -- and research has shown a relationship between breast cancer and drinking more than one alcoholic beverage a day. But since we really do not know the cause of breast cancer, there is very little you can do to prevent it.
MYTH 4: I’m too young to worry about breast cancer. REALITY: 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.
MYTH 5: With new treatments we can now cure breast cancer. REALITY: We still do not know how to cure breast cancer. We do have more treatment options and more targeted therapy, but we do not understand the disease well enough to know for certain which cancers will come back and/or spread, and which cancers will not.
MYTH 6: Mammograms catch all breast cancers. REALITY: At the moment, mammograms are the single most important tool for finding breast tumors. They catch 85 percent of breast tumors, but that still leaves 15 percent that escape detection. It is harder to spot tumors in dense glandular tissue than in fatty tissue, and some women -- particularly those who are thin, young, pre-menopausal or on hormone-replacement therapy - have dense breasts (more gland tissue, less fat). For women with dense breasts, breast ultrasound or MRI may be useful along with mammography.
It is best to be alert to changes in your body. The more attuned you are to changes in your breasts, the more likely you are to spot something dangerous. The American Cancer Society recommends women to receive a breast examination by a health professional as part of their scheduled physical exam.
MYTH 7: If a lump is cancerous, mastectomy is the only option. REALITY: At one time, mastectomy was standard therapy, but now many women have more than one choice. The combination of lump removal (lumpectomy) and radiation is performed more commonly. Your treatment depends on the stage and size of cancer. You have the right to know all the options and then decide what is best for you.
MYTH 8: Only women get breast cancer. REALITY: Breast cancer occurs primarily in women, but occasionally in men. Many people do not realize that men have breast tissue, and that it is possible for them to develop breast cancer
MYTH 9: An injury to the breast can cause breast cancer. REALITY: Injury or trauma to the breast does not cause cancer. One reason for this myth is that an injury may draw attention to a breast lump that had actually been present for some time.
MYTH 10: The breast cancer is infectious. REALITY: The breast cancer is either genetic or develops on its own due to other factors. It is not carried from one person to another by any means.
MYTH 11: The breast cancer patient should be kept in isolation. REALITY: Those who think this way are highly mistaken because the person suffering from any kind of cancer becomes so weak mentally that he wishes to have someone around him all the time. He starts behaving like a child who needs lot of love and care from everyone around him.
MYTH 12: There is restriction of food for breast cancer patient. REALITY: There is no restriction of any kind of food except for getting a nutritious diet.
MYTH 13: The majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer had more than one risk factor prior to diagnosis. REALITY: All women are at risk for developing breast cancer whether they have known risk factors or not. In fact, the majority of breast cancer patients had no known risk factors.
MYTH 14: Women get it from wearing under-wire bras and using underarm antiperspirants. REALITY: This rumor has been spread rapidly by e-mail. There is no evidence or studies which indicate that using antiperspirants or wearing any type of bra increases the risk or causes breast cancer. Underwire bras are reputed in some circles to obstruct lymph flow. Interesting theory, but there is no evidence.
MYTH 15: If a lump hurts, it's not breast cancer. REALITY: Tenderness associated with a lump, particularly if it's cyclical in nature, is often a good sign. But many breast tumors that are malignant can be tender as well. It is best to have your doctor check out anything suspicious.
MYTH 16: I’m not going to breastfeed because breastfeeding would increase my risk of getting breast cancer. REALITY: Just the opposite is true. Breastfeeding may actually decrease the risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer.
MYTH 17: Everyone’s breast cancer is the same. REALITY: Different women have different breast cancer types with unique disease characteristics including: the stage, the size and grade of the tumor, lymph node involvement, etc.
MYTH 18: Once diagnosed with breast cancer it is important to make treatment decisions immediately. REALITY: A breast cancer diagnosis is terrifying, and new patients often scramble to start treatment immediately. But there is a lot to learn: the details of the diagnosis, surgery options, drug dosing and scheduling, possible side effects, etc. Second opinions can be extremely valuable. Though it is important not to neglect the cancer and start treatment as soon as possible, there is still enough time for you to gather the information you need to make an informed decision.
MYTH 19: If I am not a scientist, then I won’t be able to understand breast cancer research. REALITY: Advocates can become educated and able to understand and influence breast cancer research. Their perspective is key to finding answers. There was a time when patients and advocates were not included in the analysis of scientific research, clinical trials design and treatment options. Since its inception in 1991, NBCC has worked tirelessly to ensure that patient advocates are not only included in the process, but also become knowledgeable, contributing participants.
MYTH 20: I don’t have a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene so I’m sure breast cancer is not in my future. REALITY: Don’t fool yourself! Not having a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene does not mean you won’t get breast cancer. Actually, the truth is that almost all women (90 to 95 percent) diagnosed with breast cancer have neither a family history nor mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, according to the American Cancer Society.
MYTH 21: Breast cancer is preventable. REALITY: Although a drug classified as an antiestrogen called, Tamoxifen may decrease breast cancer risk in certain women, the cause of breast cancer remains unknown and is not completely preventable. The real key to surviving breast cancer is early detection and treatment.
MYTH 22: Having yearly mammograms will expose me to too much radiation and cancer will occur as a result. REALITY: According to the American College of Radiology, the benefits of annual mammograms far outweigh any risks that may occur because of the minute amount of radiation used during this screening and diagnostic procedure.
MYTH 23: Breast Pain and/or Lumps Always Signify Breast Cancer. REALITY: Women have pain and/or lumps in their breasts for many reasons other than cancer, such as during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause. Monthly menstruation cycles may cause changes in breast tissue as well due to rising and falling hormone levels. If breast lumps or pains persist, consult a medical professional.
MYTH 24: Myth: Only Intense Exercise Decreases Breast Cancer Risk. REALITY: Studies show that small amounts of moderate physical activity significantly reduce a female's risk for developing breast cancer. Most adults should aim for at least 30 minutes of light physical activity in the form of walking, bicycling, housecleaning, or other movement three to four days a week in order to reduce their risk of developing all types of cancer. Research shows that adults who move regularly have a 20 to 50 percent decreased risk of breast cancer.
MYTH 25: If cancer is exposed to air during surgery, it will spread. REALITY: Surgery will not cause the cancer to spread. "The only thing that will promote cancer spread is a delay in diagnosis and failure to treat the cancer," says Lisa Newman, M.D., MPH, director of the U-M Breast Care Center.
MYTH 26: Radiation therapy is dangerous and will burn my heart, ribs and lungs. REALITY: Current radiation techniques are safe and effective for treating breast cancer, with few complications. Methods used today minimize exposure to the heart, ribs and lungs. Women may experience a darkening of the skin during the course of treatment or a sunburn-like reddening. This will clear up after treatment is through.
MYTH 27: Participating in a clinical trial is good for others but not for me. REALITY: Clinical research can offer high-quality care for everyone. In all clinical trials, the minimum any woman would receive is standard treatment. In some trials, participants receive standard treatment plus a new approach, such as a new drug or a new way to use an old drug. In other studies, researchers are seeking more answers about the biology of the cancer or the effects of the treatment, so that new ideas can be generated. In these cases, patients' participation may be as simple as having an extra tube of blood drawn or answering a survey.
"I think every woman should ask her doctor, 'What clinical trial can I be on?' At least they should hear the options. Through clinical trials, we will continue to take good care of patients today, and better care of their sisters and daughters in the future," says Daniel Hayes, M.D., clinical director of the U-M breast oncology program. "Studies have shown women who participate in clinical trials do better in the long run than those who do not."
MYTH 28: Herbal remedies and dietary supplements can help treat breast cancer. REALITY: No herbal remedy, dietary supplement or alternative therapy has been scientifically proven to treat breast cancer. Further, doctors do not know how these alternative medicines may interact with established medicines - if they cause their own side effects or interfere with the traditional therapy's effectiveness.
MYTH 29: If I have a breast lump, it's cancer. REALITY: Most breast lumps felt are not cancer. They could by cysts or a benign condition called fibrocystic changes or fibroadenoma. Lumps could also be pre-cancerous conditions that will need some treatment. But don't let these facts lull you into complacency. All lumps should be checked thoroughly.
MYTH 30: Mammograms are painful. REALITY: Is it comfortable? No. But it doesn't need to be excruciatingly painful, and most women will say it's not. Pre-menopausal women should schedule their exam for the first two weeks of their menstrual cycle, when their breasts are less tender. If you find mammograms are painful, talk to the technologist performing it. The amount of compression used can vary, so the technologist can ease up on the squishing if it's unbearable. Just keep in mind that more compression leads to a better image for the radiologist to read - so there's a payoff to that bit of discomfort. Don't think having a digital mammogram will get you out of it either. Digital mammography works the same as standard mammography by requiring compression.
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