Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. According to the latest WHO data published in April 2011, breast cancer deaths in Bangladesh reached 8,396 or 0.88% of total deaths. Breast cancer specialists said, misconceptions often cause women more anxiety than necessary. And in some cases the fear paralyses women and prevents them from seeking the care that could lead to successful treatment. Here are some of the most common myths about breast cancer.
Myth: Bras increase the risk of getting breast cancer.
FACT:It is claimed that underwire bras compress the lymphatic system of the breast, causing accumulation of toxins and cause breast cancer. But this conception has been widely debunked as unscientific.
The consensus is that neither the type of bra nor the tightness or material of the bra has any connection to breast cancer risk.
Myth: Breast lumps are always cancerous.
FACT:Roughly 80% of lumps in women’s breasts are caused by benign (noncancerous) changes, cysts, or other conditions. Doctors encourage women to report any changes at all, however, because catching breast cancer early is so beneficial. Your doctor may recommend a mammogram, ultrasound, or biopsy to determine whether a lump is cancerous.
Myth: Using antiperspirant increases the risk of breast cancer.
FACT:Several studies have been conducted on the link between antiperspirants/deodorants and breast cancer, but there is no conclusive evidence found that they increase the risk of breast cancer.
Some deodorants contain aluminum. So it is better to avoid aluminum-containing deodorants when you go for a screening mammogram. This is because it could show up on the mammogram images and may lead to an inaccurate result, and make it harder to detect abnormalities in the breast.
Myth: Caffeine causes breast cancer.
FACT:No causal connection has been found between drinking caffeine and getting breast cancer; in fact, some research suggests that caffeine may actually lower your risk.
So far it’s inconclusive whether breast soreness may be linked to caffeine. We mainly consume caffeine from tea and coffee.
Myth: Being overweight is not related to breast cancer risk.
FACT:Being overweight is responsible for many diseases. Obesity, or being overweight, does increase the risk of getting breast cancer – especially if you’re past menopause and/or you gained the weight later in life.
Myth: Breast cancer is preventable.
FACTS:Sadly, breast cancer is not preventable. Although it is possible to identify risk factors – such as family history and inherited gene mutations – and make lifestyle changes that can lower your risk – reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption, losing weight, getting regular exercise and screenings, and quitting smoking – roughly 70% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no identifiable risk factors.
Myth: Herbal remedies and dietary supplements can help treat breast cancer.
FACT:No herbal remedy, dietary supplement or alternative therapy has been scientifically proven to treat breast cancer.
Furthermore, doctors do not know how these alternative medicines may interact with established medicines, have their own side effects or interfere with the traditional therapy’s effectiveness.
Myth: A normal mammogram does not catch all breast cancer.
FACT:While a mammography does catch the vast majority of breast cancers, it is only one screening tool. Women should also have a breast exam done by their health care provider each year. If you feel a lump, always get it checked out, even if your last mammogram was normal. Also, it is important to get a mammogram every year.
MYTH: Breast implants cause breast cancer.
FACT:Several studies conclude that having cosmetic breast implants does not increase the risk of getting breast cancer. However, implants can sometimes make it harder to see breast tissue, and abnormalities, including cancers, on mammogram images. In fact, breast implants are not related to causing breast cancer.
If you have breast implants, continue to have regular mammograms but make sure to get the breast screening program. Inform your doctor about implants before getting a mammogram. A special technique called implant displacement views can be used to screen women with implants.
Myth: Men don’t get breast cancer.
FACT:Men have breasts and can develop breast cancer. Their risk, however, is very low.
Despite the small number of cases, breast cancer in men is not well understood and may be misdiagnosed or diagnosed at a later stage. Men, like women, are encouraged to be aware and discuss any unusual changes in their breasts with a health care provider.
