POLOKWANE – Margaret Selina told Review that the research she did before starting her treatment was very valuable. “I knew nothing about breast cancer. I had to look for things that I could do because I did not want to lose my life. I went through blaming myself and had to go and find out what I did wrong and why I got cancer. This opened my eyes and I would advice people to know the facts before hand. Even if you never get cancer you still educate yourself on something that a lot of people struggle with,” she said.
Here are some myths that people need to look out for and facts to help them make informed choices.
1. Myth: Most breast cancers run in families.
Fact: Only about 5% to 10% of breast cancers are thought to be hereditary, which means they are caused by abnormal genes passed from parent to child. Lifestyle and environmental factors can have an impact on breast cancer risk.
2. Myth: There is nothing you can do to lower your risk of developing breast cancer.
Fact: Lifestyle and environmental factors can have an impact on breast cancer risk. To keep your risk as low as it can be, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, and limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
3. Myth: Bras cause breast cancer.
Fact: Underwire bras do not cause breast cancer. A 2014 scientific study looked at the link between wearing a bra and breast cancer. There was no real difference in risk between women who wore a bra and women who didn’t wear a bra.
4. Myth: Regular mammograms prevent breast cancer.
Fact: Mammograms don’t prevent breast cancer, but they can save lives by finding breast cancer as early as possible, when it’s most treatable.
5. Myth: Antiperspirants cause breast cancer.
Fact: There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that antiperspirants cause breast cancer, either because of toxin buildup or aluminum exposure.
6. Myth: Finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer.
Fact: Only a small percentage of breast lumps turn out to be cancer. But if you discover a persistent lump in your breast or notice any changes in breast tissue, it should never be ignored. It is very important that you see a physician for a clinical breast exam. He or she may possibly order breast imaging studies to determine if this lump is of concern or not.
(https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1280/1*7Own-WPSNnZ6__UHKEhcQw.jpeg)
7. Myth: Men do not get breast cancer; it affects women only.
Fact: Each year it is estimated that approximately 2,190 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 410 will die. While this percentage is still small, men should also check themselves periodically by doing a breast self-exam while in the shower and reporting any changes to their physicians.
Breast cancer in men is usually detected as a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola. Men carry a higher mortality than women do, primarily because awareness among men is less and they are less likely to assume a lump is breast cancer, which can cause a delay in seeking treatment.
8. Myth: Breast cancer is contagious.
Fact: You cannot catch breast cancer or transfer it to someone else’s body. Breast cancer is the result of uncontrolled cell growth of mutated cells that begin to spread into other tissues within the breast. However, you can reduce your risk by practicing a healthy lifestyle, being aware of the risk factors, and following an early detection plan so that you will be diagnosed early if breast cancer were to occur.
9. Myth: If the gene mutation BRCA1 or BRCA2 is detected in your DNA, you will definitely develop breast cancer.
Fact: According to the National Cancer Institute, regarding families who are known to carry BRCA1 or BRCA2, “not every woman in such families carries a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, and not every cancer in such families is linked to a harmful mutation in one of these genes. Furthermore, not every woman who has a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation will develop breast and/or ovarian cancer.But, a woman who has inherited a harmful mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 is about five times more likely to develop breast cancer than a woman who does not have such a mutation.” For people who discover they have the harmful mutation, there are various proactive measures that can be done to reduce risk.
10. Myth: Deodorants and antiperspirants can cause breast cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, no scientific research has shown that use of deodorants or antiperspirants results in breast cancer.
Source: Breast health foundation
