Top 10 Myths of Breast Cancer

Myth 1. Only women with family history will get breast cancer  

FALSE! 

More than 75% of women with breast cancer have no family history of breast cancer.

The risk for developing breast cancer does increase with increasing numbers of affected first-degree relatives (such as a mother, sister, or daughter) compared with women who have no affected relatives.

BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 mutations are found in about 5-10 percent of all breast cancer cases. Having the mutation put the women at higher risk of breast cancer but not mandatory. 

A family history is one risk factor. But a risk factor doesn't cause cancer, it just affects your chance of getting cancer. Other risk factors for breast cancer include getting older, benign breast diseases with atypia, high breast density, and previous exposure to ionizing radiation, having children late in life or not at all, longer exposure to estrogen and progesterone, lack of exercise, and excessive alcohol consumption.  

 Myth 2. Men don't get breast cancer

FALSE!

While less than 1% of new breast cancer diagnoses occur among men, it is still a possibility for men to develop the disease. For males, the lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is about 1 in 1000.

Myth 3. Removing the entire breast is safer than just removing the cancerous lump

FALSE!

Mastectomy (complete breast removal) is usually not more effective than just removing the cancerous lump (breast conserving surgery). There are issues with both treatments, and patients need to be informed to make the right decision for them.

Clinical trials have shown that mastectomy and breast conserving surgery with radiation offer the same survival.  

 Myth 4.  Everyone's breast cancer is the same

FALSE!

There are many sub-types of breast cancer and the treatment requirement is different.

The treatment of breast cancer depends on the stage of disease, size and grade of the tumour, is there lymph node involvement, hormone receptor positive or negative, Her2/neu positive or negative. The patient’s age and medical fitness are also part of the consideration.

Myth 5. Finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer.

FALSE.

Only a small percentage of breast lumps turn out to be cancer.  But if you discover a persistent lump in your breast or any changes in the breast, an early consultation with doctor is recommended.

 Myth 6. The bigger the breast, the bigger the risk of getting breast cancer

FALSE!

Breast cancer develops in the cells that line the ducts or lobules—the parts that make milk and carry it to the nipple—and all women have the same number of these, regardless of breast size. What makes breasts bigger or smaller is generally the amount of fat and stroma (fibrous tissue), which research shows have little impact on cancer odds.  

Myth 7.     Wearing a bra increases the risk of breast cancer

FALSE!

This myth appears to have started after a book called Dressed to Kill suggested that bras obstruct toxin-laden lymph fluid from flowing out of the breast. However, this was speculation based on a survey with no scientific evidence. If non-bra wearers do get breast cancer less often, it's probably because they tend to be thinner as obesity is a known risk factor for breast cancer.

Myth 8.     DOES BREAST CANCER ONLY OCCUR IN OLDER WOMEN?

FALSE!

Breast cancer can occur at any age. The risk of breast cancer increases as we grow older.  In Malaysia, the overall lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is 1 in 19 women.

Myth 9.     Radiation by mammography causes breast cancer

FALSE!

The risk of harm from radiation exposure by having a mammogram is very low.  The benefits of the earlier diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in reducing mortality far outweigh the risk of the small dose of radiation received during a mammogram.

Myth 10.  Eating soy foods causes breast cancer

FALSE!

Studies have not linked eating soy foods (e.g. tofu, tempeh, miso, etc.) to increased breast cancer risk. In fact, evidence suggests it may even lower the risk for developing breast cancer. Soy foods can be eaten as part of a healthy, balanced diet, both for the general population and people who are by breast cancer.