The 10 Breast Cancer Myths

October 22, 2020

The 10 Breast Cancer Myths

Everyday we are surrounded by loads of information about breast cancer. The internet can be a huge help but along with good information it is also filled with lots of myths about breast cancer. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between the good and the bad.

Though breast cancer is one of the better-known and more-talked-about cancers, there are still so many misconceptions out there. Unless people experience the disease by themselves, a breast cancer survivor or they are close to someone who have breast cancer, they might not be able to separate myth from the fact.

Here, we tackle 10 common myths about breast cancer.

Breast lump = cancer

Some studies estimate as many as 80% of breast lumps are benign. Non-cancerous breast conditions, such as fibrosis and/or cysts, are very common.

If a lump is painful, it's not cancer

Between 2-7% of patients with a painful breast lump will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Only older women get breast cancer

Younger women can and do get breast cancer, as do men. 1 in every 25 invasive breast cancer cases occurred in women under 40.

Most breast cancer is hereditary

The vast majority of people who get breast cancer have no family history, suggesting that other factors must be at work, such as environment and lifestyle.

Deodorant/antiperspirant causes breast cancer

Research has found no conclusive evidence of a connection between deodorant/antiperspirant and breast cancer.

Men don't get breast cancer

Men may not think of themselves as having breasts. For men, it’s their chest or their “pecs,” but the fact is men have breast tissue. So, men can get breast cancer!

One should avoid sugar and soy if diagnosed with breast cancer

There is no evidence that shows eating sugar or soy has any clinical effect on breast cancer.

Self-screening is the most important factor in early diagnosis

Of course self diagnosis is recommended but they should complement and not replace the appropriate screenings from your cancer doctor.

Carrying your cell phone in your bra can cause breast cancer.

There is no evidence of a connection between cell phones and breast cancer, but the safety of cell phones is still being studied.

Breast Cancer is Contagious (spreads by air, drinking from the same cup as someone else, etc.).

Cancer is not a communicable disease.

After a marathon of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, you can hardly wait to get back to a normal life again. Reality can be quite different as is often the case. Adjusting the life after surviving a breast cancer can be a long road. Here are 7 Things to Know About Life After the Treatments for breast cancer survivors.

In Cancer Awareness