Common Myths
Information is Power – Empower yourself with the truths about breast cancer
MYTH: “I’m too young to get breast cancer.”
TRUTH: While it is true that up to 78 percent of breast cancer cases are found in women in their fifties, there are still a significant number of cases found in women under the age of 30. In fact, most breast cancers found in younger women is more advanced. This may be the result of delay in diagnosis because they have not been part of a regular screening process such as breast self-exam.
MYTH: “I don’t need a mammogram if I don’t have any symptoms.”
TRUTH: Mammography can detect breast cancer up to two years before you or your doctor can feel a lump.
MYTH: “Only women with a family history get breast cancer.”
TRUTH: Over 80 percent of women who develop breast cancer have no family history, and 70 percent of women have none of the identifiable risk factors. If you do have a family history, your chances are increased. You should get screening mammograms earlier than other women. You also may want to ask your doctor to test you for the BRAC1, BRAC2, AND P53 genes and changes (mutations) in these genes, if you do have them. These genes are responsible for over 90 percent of inherited cancer. If you have inherited these genes, your chances are increased to 85-90 percent that you will get this disease by the age of 60. If you do not have these genes, your risk is only slightly higher than for all women.
MYTH: Only women get breast cancer.
TRUTH: Men DO get breast cancer! Although it is rare, approximately 1% of all breast cancers are found in males, and almost 2,000 males will be diagnosed each year. If you notice a lump that does not go away in your partner’s breast tissue, make sure he sees a doctor.
MYTH: “Mammography gives off unsafe levels of radiation.”
TRUTH: The radiation exposure from mammography equipment is very small. It is far more dangerous to allow breast cancer to go undetected than to be exposed to the very low dose of radiation.
MYTH: An injury to the breast can cause breast cancer.
TRUTH: Sometimes trauma to the breast may result in detection of breast cancer, but this is not due to the injury. Rather it is because the breast is being examined and followed more closely than usual.