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Breast Cancer Myths
A lot of misconceptions are out there in regards to breast cancer, including the statement: “hereditary is the cause of most breast cancers”. Actually, only 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with breast cancers have a family history. More than two-thirds of women with breast cancer have no known risk factors. There is a strong genetic factor however. Women with certain mutations within the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have a 60 to 80-percent chance of developing breast cancer. Fortunately, this mutation is rare. Obesity and alcohol are two other known risk factors, behind about 20 percent of breast cancers. Obesity nearly triples the risk of breast cancer, according to the Women's Health Initiative study of 85,917 postmenopausal women. And consuming four alcoholic drinks a day raises the risk by 1.5 times, according to the National Cancer Institute. The facts are that most women; who develop breast cancer, are leading relatively healthy lives.
This statement of one in eight women will be diagnosed with cancer this year tends to be not completely true. This "one in eight" number tends to get tossed around when referring to the lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.
The statistics mean - one in eight of women by the time they're 85 will have
had breast cancer; however a woman in her thirties only has a one in 233
risk of getting the disease. According to the American Cancer Society – breast cancer survival rates are quite good these days. The lifetime risk of dying from breast cancer for women is about one in 35, or 3 percent, according to the American Cancer Society.
Although it is possible to identify risk factors; like family history and
inherited gene mutations; lifestyle changes can lower your risks. Reducing
or eliminating alcohol consumption, losing weight, exercise, stop smoking
and getting regular breast screenings can help tremendously. The statement that breast cancer can be prevented – especially by eating a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, is debatable. The cause of breast cancer remains unknown and is not completely preventable. The real key to surviving breast cancer is early detection and treatment. A drug classified as an anti-estrogen called, Tamoxifen may decrease breast cancer risk in certain women.
Mammograms are considered the “gold standard” for breast cancer detection. However, they are not 100% at detecting breast cancer. Mammograms are about 80% effective at detecting breast cancer when all age groups are considered. Individual characteristics such as the following are considered when determining the accuracy of mammography:
The amount of radiation is so low that there is no doubt that mammograms are safe. There is a standard for safety established for mammograms by the American College of Radiology, and is mandated by Congress.
A persistent myth is one that abortions can cause breast cancer. This topic is based on real science studies of rats in the 1980s indicating a possible correlation between hormones and breast tissue growth. But the issue was thoroughly resolved by the 1990's.
This statement is definitely a myth. Men can also get breast cancer. In men, breast cancer can happen at any age, but is most common in men who are between 60 and 70 years old. Male breast cancer is not very common. For every 100 cases of breast cancer, less than 1 is in men. Approximately, 1,990 men were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, according to the American Cancer Society, and with 450 who died from the disease. For men, signs of breast cancer and treatment are almost the same as for women.
A
woman’s amount of breast tissue does not affect her risk of developing
breast cancer. Breast size is not a significant risk factor for breast
cancer.
Coffee does not cause breast cancer. There have been several studies with
rats showing how coffee can actually prevent cancer.
Eight out of ten breast lumps are benign or roughly 80 percent of all lumps are
non-cancerous. However, it is in your best interest to have all lumps
checked out by a physician to make sure the lump is not cancerous.
The following should be checked for during monthly self exams:
Women with a rare type of breast cancer called inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) rarely have a breast lump. Symptoms of IBC include swelling, redness, itchiness, or warmth in the breast; tenderness or pain; a change in the nipple, such as retraction; skin that appears thick and pitted like an orange peel or with ridges and small bumps; an area of the breast that looks bruised; or swollen lymph nodes under the arm. Doctors encourage women to report any changes that they notice in their breasts
Ten percent of breast cancers are associated with pain. This is however; very rare if this is the only symptom of a breast tumor. Breast pain is the third most common non-cancerous breast complaint and can be caused by many conditions. Bilateral breast pain is less likely to be associated with breast cancer than unilateral breast pain. In
general, breast cancers are painless, but pain alone cannot rule out cancer.
Some women also believe that a painless lump must not be cancer. This is as
well, not true. There's no correlation between whether the lump is painful
and whether it's cancerous. Any lump should be checked by a doctor.
There are claims that a under-wire bra compress’ the lymphatic system of the
breast. This in turn causes toxins to accumulate and cause breast cancer. This is most definitely a myth.
Women with breast implants are at no greater risk of breast cancer,
according to studies and research. Standard mammograms don't always work as
well on women who have breast implants. Additional X-rays including tests
such as Sonocine,
ultrasound and
digital mammograms
are needed to fully examine all the breast tissue.
The American Cancer Society has stated that this topic needs more research.
According to the breast cancer source – Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the opposite is true. Breastfeeding may decrease the risk of peri-menopausal breast cancer.
Breast cancer can recur at any time; however, it is more likely for a recurrence within the first five to ten years.
While the risk of breast cancer increases with age, all women are at risk for getting breast cancer. This is why women of all ages need to perform a monthly breast self exam.
There are several treatments for breast cancer including chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Mastectomy is not the only option.
Birth control pills do contain small amounts of estrogen, however the amount is so small - it is not even a factor in breast cancer development. If you have any concerns about the use of oral contraceptives and breast cancer, please talk to your physician.
Your father's family history of breast cancer is just as important as your
mother's in understanding your risk. But to find out about the risk stemming
from your father's side of the family, you need to look primarily at the
women; while men do get breast cancer, women are more vulnerable to it.
Associated cancers in men (such as early-onset prostate or colon cancer) on
either side are also important to factor in when doing a full family-tree
risk assessment.
More Breast Reconstruction and Breast Cancer Information:
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