Myths About Breast Cancer

Everyday women read, see or hear about myths that involve breast cancer. We are here to straighten out the truth from the false.

Health.com has provided 10 myths linked to breast cancer:

Myth One: Only women with a family history of breast cancer are at risk

True and false: 70% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no identifiable risk factors for the disease. But if a member of your immediate family has cancer your risk doubles.

Myth Two: Wearing an under-wire bra increases your risk of getting breast cancer.

False

Myth three: Most breast lumps are cancerous.

False: 80% of lumps in women’s breasts are benign- simply cysts.

Myth four: Exposing a tumor to air during surgery causes cancer to spread.

False: Surgery does not cause cancer to spread.

Myth five: Breast implants can raise cancer risk.

True and false: Women with breast implants do not have a higher risk of breast cancer.

Myth six: All women have a 1-in-8 chance of getting breast cancer.

Truth: Cancer risks increase as you age, a womans chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer is 1 in 233, only reaches 1 in 8 when she reaches 85 years old.

Myth seven: Wearing antiperspirant increases your risk of getting cancer.

True and false: The American Cancer Society dislikes this rumor. More studies are being done to scientifically prove it.

Myth eight: Women with small breasts have less chance of having cancer.

False: No connection between size of breasts and risk of getting cancer.

Myth nine: Breast cancer always comes in the form of a lump.

True: A lump may indicate breast cancer but women need to be on alert for all kinds of changes in their breasts like swelling, skin irritation, dimples, pain, redness, etc.