Breast Cancer Myths
#Breast Cancer
MYTH
- Most Breast Cancers run in Families
- Only women can get breast cancer
- Only older people can get breast cancer
- Alcohol has no links with breast cancer
- Only people with a genetic history of breast cancer can develop breast cancer
- You can’t get breast cancer if you haven’t had a child yet
- I am too young to get breast cancer
- Men can’t get breast cancer
- Alcohol is not linked to breast cancer
- Only women with a family history of breast cancer are at risk
- I have never had children, so I can’t get breast cancer
FACT
- About 90% Women diagnosed don’t have a Family History of breast cancer
- Though less likely, men can also get breast cancer
- There are plenty of diagnose made in people below the age of 40
- Consumption of alcohol can increase your chances of developing cancer
- It is possible to develop cancer even if you family doesn’t have a history of developing the disease
- Women who don’t have children or have children after the age of 30 have increased chances of developing breast cancer
- Many women who are under 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer
- 1 in 1,249 men have a lifetime risk of breast cancer
- Alcohol use increases the risk of breast cancer
- All women are at risk, but family history increases the risk
- Women who have never had children, or only had them after 30, have increased risk of breast cancer
Myth
Cell phones, antiperspirants and tanning cause breast cancer.
Fact
There is no evidence that these factors increase the risk of breast cancer. Tanning in the sun or in salons does increase the risk of skin cancer. it's important to use sun screen, limit time in the sun and avoid tanning salons to reduce your risk of skin cancer.
Myth
If breast cancer runs un your family, you are going to get it too.
Fact
Breast cancer is not a certainty, even if you have one of the risk factors, like a strong family history or a known breast cancer gene abnormality. For example, of women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 inherited genetic abnormality, 40-80% will develop breast cancer; 20-60% won't.
Myth
Since I have no family history of breast cancer, I can't get it.
Fact
Breast cancer is extremely rare in girls while adult women have some risk. About 80% have no known family history. Growing older is the biggest single risk factor. For those women who have a family history of breast cancer, your risk may be elevated a little, a lot, or not at all. If you are concerned, discuss your family history with your physician.
Myth
Only your mother's family history of breast cancer can affect your risk.
Fact
A history of breast cancer in your mother's or your father's family equally influence your risl. That's because half of your genes come from your mother, half from you father. But a man with a breast cancer gene abnormality is less likely to develop breast cancer that a woman with a similar gene. So, if you want to learn more about your father's family history, you have to look mainly at the women on your father's side, not just the men.
Myth
Big breast have a higher risk of breast cancer
Fact
Breast size has no significant impact on the risk of developing breast cancer.