Breast Cancer Myth

The Breast Cancer Myth

1. Breast lump means cancer: Some studies estimate that as many as 80% of breast lumps are benign. Benign lumps include fibroadenomas, fibrocystic disease, cysts, etc. Women are encouraged to report any changes in the breast or lump to doctor for early diagnosis. You may require mammogram, ultrasound, or biopsy to determine whether a lump is cancerous.

2. Only older patients get breast cancer: In India, 25 years back, out of every 100 breast cancer patients, 69% of the patients were above 50 years of age. Presently, 4% are in 20 to 30 yrs age group, 16% are in 30 to 40, 28% are in 40 to 50 age group. So, almost 48% patients are below 50. An increasing numbers of patients are in the 25 to 40 years of age, and this definitely is a very disturbing trend.

3. Deodorant or antiperpirant causes breast cancer: There is no conclusive evidence to show

Breast implants can raise your cancer risk.

Women with breast implants are at no greater risk of getting breast cancer. Standard mammograms may not always work on these women, however, additional X-rays, ultrasound or MRI are sometimes required to fully examine breast tissue.

8. Small-breasted women have less chance of getting breast cancer. There's no connection between the size of the breasts and risk of getting breast cancer. Very large breasts may be harder to examine than small breasts, with clinical breast exams—and even mammograms and MRIs—more difficult to conduct. But all women, regardless of breast size, should commit to routine screenings and checkups.

9. Since my menstrual periods have not begun again and I am taking tamoxifen, I cannot get pregnant.

Even if your periods have not returned or they are irregular, tamoxifen does not protect you from getting pregnant. Tamoxifen has the potential to harm the fetus so while taking tamoxifen, non-hormonal form of birth control should be practiced.

10. If you have a family history of breast cancer, you are likely to develop breast cancer,