Even though breast cancer is one of the most talked about cancers, if not the most talked about, there are still a number of misconceptions out there. These misconceptions have prevented many from getting the right kind of help they need, and have resulted in misleading information and wrong attitudes towards the condition.
In this blog, we try to bust some of these myths with facts.
MYTH 1: WEARING AN UNDERWIRE BRA CAN CAUSE BREAST CANCER
There’s a theory that wearing a bra, especially those that have an underwire, restricts flow to and from the breasts, causing toxic substances to build up.
FACT: THERE’S NO CORRELATION BETWEEN WEARING A BRA AND BREAST CANCER
There’s no evidence to suggest that wearing a bra, especially one with an underwire, leads to breast cancer. So, you are free to wear a bra, or not!
MYTH 2: PUTTING YOUR PHONE IN YOUR BRA CAN CAUSE BREAST CANCER
Due to the radio frequencies emitted by cell phones, it is generally believed that carrying your phone in your bra could give you breast cancer.
FACT: THERE’S NO EVIDENCE SO FAR ON THE CORRELATION BETWEEN BREAST CANCER AND CELL PHONES
So far, there’s no link scientifically. Cell phone manufacturers however usually recommend keeping your cell phone as far away from your body as often as possible.
MYTH 3: WHEN YOU GET BREAST CANCER, THERE’S ALWAYS A LUMP
Many believe that a lump you can feel in the breast is a sign of breast cancer. Therefore, when they perform a breast self-exam and don’t feel a lump, they use this as a sure sign that they are cancer free and therefore skip their annual breast screening by their healthcare provider.
FACT: BREAST CANCER MAY NOT CAUSE A LUMP, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT FIRST DEVELOPS
Usually, by the time a lump does develop, the cancer may have already moved beyond the breasts to the lymph nodes. So although breast self examinations are good, and help with early detection, they are not reason to skip your annual healthcare breast screening.
MYTH 4: A FAMILY HISTORY OF BREAST CANCER MEANS YOU WILL GET BREAST CANCER
A family history of breast cancer does increase your risk of getting breast cancer. However it is no guarantee that you will get breast cancer. The evidence shows that people without a family history get breast cancer at a higher rate than those who do have a family history.
FACT: A FAMILY HISTORY OF BREAST CANCER MEANS YOU’RE AT RISK, BUT DOES NOT MEAN YOU WILL DEFINITELY GET IT
MYTH 5: DEODORANTS & ANTIPERSPIRANTS CAUSE BREAST CANCER
It is believed that deodorants contain harmful chemicals which affect breast tissue when applied to the armpits, leading to breast cancer.
FACT: THE RESEARCH SO FAR DOES NOT INDICATE A LINK BETWEEN BREAST CANCER AND DEODORANTS
Phew! That’s a relief for us and those around us! 😂
MYTH 6: MEN CAN’T GET BREAST CANCER
The belief is that since men don’t have breasts as big as women do, they can’t or don’t get breast cancer.
FACT: MEN CAN GET BREAST CANCER
Men have breast tissue. So they can get breast cancer. There’s growing evidence of men being diagnosed with breast cancer. So men shouldn’t take themselves out of this, thinking it can’t happen to them. Yes, women are at higher risk, but men can get it too.
MYTH 7: YOUNG WOMEN DO NOT GET BREAST CANCER
It is believed that breast cancer happens only in older women.
FACT: ALL WOMEN ARE AT RISK OF BREAST CANCER, REGARDLESS OF THEIR AGE
Yes. Breast cancer doesn’t happen as often in young women, but it does happen.
MYTH 8: EATING RIGHT, EXERCISING, AVOIDING ALCOHOL AND SMOKING WILL PREVENT MY GETTING BREAST CANCER
You can do everything “right” but still get breast cancer. A lot of factors come into play with breast cancer, and a lot of things that cause it are beyond our control. However, there are things we can do to reduce our risk of getting breast cancer.
FACT: EATING WELL, EXERCISING, AVOIDING ALCOHOL AND SMOKING CAN REDUCE YOUR RISK OF GETTING BREAST CANCER, BUT WILL NOT ELIMINATE THAT RISK