A startling 70,218 women died of breast cancer in the year 2012 itself. At a rough estimate, out of every two women diagnosed with breast cancer, one is dying of the disease. The stats are worrying enough. Adding to that are the myths surrounding breast cancer that lead to many women mentally taking themselves off the risk radar. Prevention is definitely better than cure and that is why we spoke to the experts to provide you with eight popular ‘I can’t get breast cancer’ myths. Read on to make sure you safeguard yourself against the Big C.
- I have family history so I am bound to get cancer. I can’t do anything.
This is where you are wrong. Yes having previous family history does increase your risk but this doesn’t mean that you cannot do anything to prevent it. Be sure to inform your doctor about the family history. “If genetic tests show that you are at high risk, your doctor will be able to recommend screening earlier along with medication and in some case surgery, to help reduce your risk,” says Dr. Preeti Jain, consultant oncology at Columbia Asia Hospital, Gurgaon. - .I’m too young to worry about breast cancer.
You are never too young to get breast cancer. “The only age factor that can be considered is that breast cancer generally starts from the age of 20,” says Dr. Preeti Jain. A breast lump in a younger woman might have lesser chances of being cancerous but it needs to be checked. Twenty-five per cent of women with breast cancer are younger than 50. - Small-breasted women have less chance of getting breast cancer.
There’s no connection between the size of your breasts and your risk of getting breast cancer. “Large breasts may be harder to examine than small breasts, with clinical breast exams—and even mammograms and MRIs. But all women, regardless of breast size, should commit to routine screenings and checkups,” says Dr. Pranay Shah, gynaecologist and endoscopic surgeon. The same goes with weight. Yes, being overweight adds to the risk but being underweight doesn’t negate it either. - Breast cancer always comes in the form of a lump.
A lump may indicate breast cancer (or one of many benign breast conditions), but women should also be on the alert for other kinds of changes that may be signs of cancer. “Breast cancer can at times spread to underarm lymph nodes and cause swelling there before a tumour in the breast is large enough to be felt,” says Dr. Pranay Shah. The changes to look out for include swelling; skin irritation or dimpling; breast or nipple pain; nipple retraction (turning inward); redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin; or a discharge other than breast milk. - Breast cancer is limited to only one breast.
This is not true. Breast cancer has the ability to develop, or spread in both breasts. - Only women with a family history of breast cancer are at risk
Statistics say that roughly 70 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no identifiable genetic risk. “If a first-degree relative (a parent, sibling, or child) has a history of breast cancer, your risk of developing the disease approximately doubles but having no history doesn’t mean you are not at risk,” says Dr. Pranay Shah, gynecologist from Bhatia Hospital. - Your father’s family history of breast cancer doesn’t affect your risk as much as your mother’s.
Your father’s family history of breast cancer is just as important as your mother’s while understanding your risk. Dr Pranay Shah says, “While looking at the risk stemming from your father’s side of the family, you need to look primarily at the women; while men do get breast cancer, it is rare. However, associated cancers in men such as early-onset prostate or colon cancer on either side are important factors to consider while doing a family-tree risk assessment,” he says. - If I don’t smoke I am safe; passive smoking does not have any effect.
This is one of the most common myths surrounding breast cancer. Dr. Rita Bakshi, gynaecologist and fertility expert at International Fertility Centre, Delhi says, “Passive smoking can lead to breast cancer especially for women who are exposed to it below the age of 20 or until the first childbirth.”
