Top 10 Breast Cancer Myths

By Glenn Mueller
eDiets Senior Writer/Editor

About one out of every eight American women will develop breast cancer at some point in her life. With the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer, this makes breast cancer the most common form of cancer for women.

But since 1990 the death rate for women with breast cancer has steadily declined. What accounts for this happy statistic? Information. More women know that getting a regular mammogram is key to early detection - and beating breast cancer.
Because information is so important, we've collected and cleared up 10 of the most common misperceptions about breast cancer.

Myth # 1: Eating high-fat foods causes breast cancer.
Eating high-fat foods is bad for your health for numerous reasons. However, researchers have not been able to demonstrate a strong connection between foods that are high in fat and breast cancer.

There is an indirect connection though. Being overweight or obese does increase your risk for breast cancer, especially if you are past menopause and gained the weight later in life.
If you are overweight, you may benefit from limiting your intake of foods that are high in fat. On the flip side, some foods appear to lower a person's risk of cancer.

Myth # 2: Too much caffeine can increase your risk for breast cancer.
Relax. You don't have to give up that morning cup of coffee just yet. No link has been found between the consumption of caffeine and breast cancer. Tea, on the other hand, may contain properties that lower the risk of cancer in general.

Myth # 3: Only older women get breast cancer.
While it is true that your risk for developing breast cancer increases as you get older, a person can get breast cancer at any age.

Myth #4: If you have one or more of the common risk factors for breast cancer, you will probably get this disease.
Obviously, if you have one or more common risk factors for breast cancer, you should make it a point to get regular screenings. One of the greatest risk factors is a breast cancer gene abnormality. Women with such an abnormality (known as a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene abnormality) are about 40 to 80 percent more likely to develop breast cancer during their lifetime.

But, getting breast cancer is not a certainty, even if you have risk factors. There are many things you can do to lower your risk. Limit your consumption of alcohol, don't smoke and exercise regularly. If you are at extremely high risk for breast cancer, there are also medications and preventative surgeries that may help you.

Myth #5: If breast cancer doesn't run in your family, you probably won't get it.
If breast cancer runs in a woman's family, she has a greater risk of developing this disease. The risk is about double for a woman whose parent or sibling have had breast cancer. That's why it is extremely important to discuss your complete family history with your personal physician.

That said, roughly 80 percent of women who get breast cancer have no family history, so it is important to get regular mammograms and to perform breast self-checks monthly.

Myth #6: Using antiperspirants may increase your risk for breast cancer.
There is a popular rumor that using antiperspirants can promote breast cancer. The American Cancer Society tries to dispel this myth, although they note more research is needed.

Here's how the rumor started: In one study, researchers found small traces of parabens in a sample of breast cancer tumors. Parabens are used as a preservative in some antiperspirants.

Myth #7: Using birth control pills may increase your risk for breast cancer.
Most of the research shows no link between birth control pills and breast cancer. One study did conclude that using birth control pills may slightly increase your risk for developing breast cancer. However, the study also concluded that this risk would decrease over time. Interestingly enough taking birth control pills may decrease your risk for ovarian and endometrial cancer.

Myth # 8: If you find a lump in your breast that means you have breast cancer.
If you discover a lump in your breast or any other irregularities in your breast tissue, it is imperative to see your doctor immediately. The good news is that if you do find a lump, it probably isn't cancer. Eight out of every ten breast lumps are benign.

And, breast cancer doesn't always appear in the form of a lump. In addition to a lump, you should look for swelling, skin irritation, breast or nipple pain, redness, thickening of the nipple, or a discharge other than breast milk. Early detection is the key.

Myth # 9: All I need to do is to check my breasts every month.
This is a dangerous myth. Mammography is the best method to detect breast cancer early, before it can spread. Only a quarter of all breast cancers are detected by breast examination. The best thing to do is follow your physician's advice on getting regular mammograms.

Myth # 10: Getting a mammogram can cause your breast cancer to spread.
This is one of the most harmful myths of all. Getting a mammogram is one of the best things you can do for yourself, and it does not cause breast cancer to spread. One of the reasons breast cancer death rates are declining is because twice as many women over the age of 50 are getting mammograms.

An 11th myth is that a diagnosis of breast cancer means you cannot reclaim y0ur health, even after treatment. Millions of women beat more than just cancer -- they exceed their own expectations in fitness, health and much more.

Read about Karen's ongoing journey back to fitness following her battle with breast cancer.

Interested in lowering your risk? Small tweaks can add up to reduce cancer risks.

Sources
BreastCancer.org
"Myths About Breast Cancer."
http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/bc_myths/

National Cancer Institute.
"Breast Cancer Myths"
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast

Health.com
"25 Breast Cancer Myths and Misunderstandings." Health.com, http://www.health.com/health/condition-article/0,,2021558,00.html

Disclaimer: The information provided is intended for your knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. Please talk with your healthcare provider regarding any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

Labels: breast cancer, breast cancer survivor, diet and breast cancer, exercise and breast cancer