12 Breast Cancer Myths Debunked

Probabilities are you’ve heard at the least a couple of myths about what causes breast cancer or increases your breast cancer risk. A bit myth-busting is in order so it is possible to get your breast cancer facts straight.

Myth No. 1: Underwire Bras Trigger Breast Cancer

“That’s definitely untrue,” says breast surgical oncologist Kandace McGuire, MD, of the Breast Cancer Program of Magee Women’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Dr. McGuire explains that this is according to an old theory that an underwire bra would lessen lymphatic drainage and improve breast cancer risk. “It was not according to any information whatsoever,” she says. Constriction of the breast, no matter whether from an underwire bra or any kind of compression garment, does not have an effect on breast cancer risk.

Myth No. 2: Antiperspirants Cause Breast Cancer

“There have been no studies to recommend a link between antiperspirants and breast cancer,” says McGuire. You can find two feasible points of origin for this cancer myth:

* Parabens. These chemical preservatives are utilized in some antiperspirants and some other products. They might improve estrogen levels, which is linked to breast cancer risk. But there is certainly “no decisive link,” says McGuire. Check ingredient labels should you be concerned. Appear for the ingredients methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, or benzylparaben. Nevertheless, most brands no longer contain these ingredients.
* Mammogram preparation. Antiperspirants include some aluminum, which may possibly show up on mammograms as a false-positive result. “One factor that is crucial for girls to know is that when they go for their mammograms, they shouldn’t wear antiperspirants,” advises McGuire.

Overall, the National Cancer Institute doesn't advise limiting the use of antiperspirants, but does say much more study is needed in this location.

Myth No. three: Radiation From Screening Tests Causes Cancer

Although mammograms do give off a tiny amount of radiation, “the radiation dose in a mammogram is much less than in a regular chest X-ray,” says McGuire. “It is such a low level that it wouldn’t improve breast cancer risk.” Ladies ought to also know that MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) and ultrasounds, which could also be used to screen for breast cancer in some ladies, contain no radiation at all.

Myth No. four: Exposure to Air Causes Cancer to Spread

McGuire shares a myth she frequently hears from worried patients - cutting into a cancer and exposing it to air causes the cancer to spread. “That is untrue too,” she stresses. Patients are naturally worried simply because cancer does have the possible to spread (called metastasis), but it is not caused by your cancer surgeon cutting into a tumor for a biopsy or to get rid of it.

Myth No. 5: You might have to Have a Family History to get Cancer

“Women who do not have a household history of breast cancer are surprised when they get breast cancer,” says McGuire. Loved ones history can be a well-established risk factor - so well-established that some ladies might believe it really is the only risk factor, but it’s not. “Less than 10 percent of breast cancer patients get it due to a familial history,” she explains.

Myth No. 6: There’s Nothing You'll be able to Do About an Inherited Risk

A powerful family members history is really a cancer risk factor, but just due to the fact females inside your family have had breast cancer doesn't mean you're destined to get it. Genetic testing will help you comprehend your inherited risk and enable you to make alternatives about your future care. In addition, McGuire says that study shows that a low-fat diet combined with physical activity and moderate alcohol consumption (fewer than two drinks per day) reduces breast cancer risk. “If you've got a loved ones history, you ought to do everything that you simply can to decrease your risk,” she advises.

Myth No. 7: Breast Cancer Occurs Only in Older Ladies

“Increasing age is a risk factor for breast cancer, so the older you're the far more likely you happen to be to get breast cancer,” says McGuire. However, that doesn’t mean younger women aren’t vulnerable. Breast cancer can be diagnosed at any age. “It tends to be a lot more aggressive in younger females,” she adds.

Myth No. 8: Plastic Surgery Causes Breast Cancer

The very good news for ladies who want to improve or minimize their bust size is that there is no link among breast plastic surgery and increased breast cancer risk. Implants can make mammograms far more hard, but they don't make cancer far more likely. Ladies who have breast reduction surgery may in fact see a decrease in breast cancer risk. “Getting a breast reduction can minimize your risk of breast cancer by about 60 percent, based on how much they take,” says McGuire.

Myth No. 9: Double Mastectomy Prevents a Return of Breast Cancer

Removing a breast that has not had breast cancer does avoid breast cancer in that breast, but removing a breast that already has cancer still leaves you having a 3 to four percent risk of recurrence. “Your survival is based on the very first cancer,” says McGuire, not on the removal of additional breast tissue.

Myth No. 10: Mammograms Aren’t Accurate Anyway, So Why Bother?

Recent controversy concerning the right time for girls to start having mammograms - regardless of whether they ought to begin at age 40 or age 50 - has left some girls feeling the screening test could not be worthwhile.

Younger ladies frequently have denser breast tissue than older ladies, who have more fat tissue within the breast. “The denser your breasts are, the much less accurate your mammogram is going to be,” acknowledges McGuire, but adds, “Having a poor mammogram is far better than having none. It’s the only thing that we’ve shown therefore far to reduce the mortality from breast cancer.”

Myth No. 11: Self-Exams Aren’t Essential

In fact, the investigation is inconclusive on this question. “Most of the girls that I talk to within the workplace aren't doing self-exams. But there’s no downside - it’s low-cost and effortless to do,” says McGuire, who says that only good things can come from getting familiar using the shape of your personal breasts.

Myth No. 12: Abortion and Miscarriage Increase Breast Cancer Risk

Although there's some evidence that having kids just before the age of 30 can minimize the risk of breast cancer, there is certainly no study to support the thought that the early end of a pregnancy through miscarriage or abortion could increase breast cancer risk.

Armed with these facts - not myths - you'll be far better able to minimize your risk and strategy your therapy in case you create breast cancer.

Tags: 12 breast cancer myths, breast cancer myths debunked, risk of breast cancer