Let’s Talk: Breast Cancer Myths and Facts. Highlights from the past month.

BREAST CANCER MYTHS

October is celebrated annually as Breast Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer. Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast. One in every eight women is said to become diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime; but while you cannot usually prevent cancer, it is important to be proactive about your health.

The following are some usual misconception of breast cancer.

➢ A lump in the breast means its breast cancer - only a small percentage of breast lumps turn out to be cancer. However if it is that you discover a persistent lump in your breast that may be new or you have observed any changes in the breast tissue, it should be checked out.

➢ Breast cancer affects only women - each year it is estimated that approximately 2,190 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 410 will die.

➢ A mammogram can increase the spread of breast cancer - A mammogram currently remains the gold standard for the early detection of breast cancer.

➢ You are likely to develop breast cancer if there is a family history - while women who have a family history of breast cancer are at a higher risk; most women who usually develop breast cancer have no family history. Statistically only about 10% of individuals diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of this disease.

➢ Breast cancer is contagious - breast cancer cannot be “catch” or transferred. Breast cancer is the result of uncontrolled cell growth of mutated cells that begin to spread into other tissues within the breast.

➢ Antiperspirants and deodorants contribute to breast cancer - researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) are not aware of any conclusive evidence linking the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants and the subsequent development of breast cancer.

➢ You will definitely develop breast cancer if you have the BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene - 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 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.”

Written by Kiwanian Stacey- Ann McNeil