Breast Cancer

Lesson 1: ALL ABOUT BREASTS: Risks, Myths & BSE

Fact, Fiction or Internet Hoax?

I'd like to start this section with a question: What rumor have you heard about breast cancer that you are really not sure about? Something that sounds reasonable, but you just can't really believe 100%? That's what this section is about and we should be able to put most of those rumors to rest after this and maybe laugh about how naive we all are at different times.

Here we will examine 20 of the more prevalent facts/rumors that have been rampant in recent years about breast cancer. Some of these factoids have resurfaced after several years rest. Some are new. This section is not a test - it's not supposed to make you feel dumb, or ill-informed, but rather to help you to sort out the facts from the fiction. Remember, just because you hear it on the radio, see it on TV, read it in the paper or receive an email about it, IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE TRUE. I'll try to include some websites where you can get reliable information or contact someone who will be able to get you straight answers.

All are TRUE or FALSE.

1) A woman dies of breast cancer every 11 minutes in the United States. TRUE. Sad, horrible fact and that is why we have to be vigilant in monitoring our own health care, be concerned about the medical care of those we love and fight for more research, more funding until we find the cause and the cure.

2) All breast lumps are cancerous. FALSE. A majority of lumps are small fluid-filled, non-cancerous (benign) cysts. Any lump or change in your breast should be brought to the attention of your doctor.

3) Mammograms definitively rule out a cancer diagnosis. FALSE. Mammography is not 100% perfect. Women discover 25% of the malignant lumps themselves. Mammos point out about 35%. A combination of self-exam, clinical exam (by the doctor) and mammogram turn up the remaining 40% of breast cancer lumps. While mammograms themselves do not save lives, they are still the best screening tool available right now. You owe it to yourself to have a baseline (first time, for future comparisons) mammogram at age 40. If you have a family history of breast cancer or have had breast problems in the past, your doctor may recommend a screening mammo at an earlier age.

4) Eight of ten women don't fit the risk patterns established for breast cancer (ex. early menstruation, child-bearing late in life). TRUE. The greatest risk is being female. The second greatest risk is your age.

5) Bigger-breasted women have a greater risk for breast cancer. FALSE. Breast cancer is not based on the size, shape or color of your breasts.

6) Smoking causes breast cancer. FALSE. Although we know smoking is bad for you and may cause lung cancer, no studies have proven a real relationship with breast cancer. But quit anyway, it can add years to your life.

7) Only women get breast cancer. FALSE. About 1600 men get breast cancer each year in the United States. About 400 of them will die from this disease annually. Men should also learn to do breast self-examination and be clinically checked once a year by their physicians.

8) If you discover a lump and it is painful to touch, it is not cancer. FALSE. While most cancerous (malignant) lumps are not painful, once in a rare while a painful lump may be cancerous. Most painful lumps are cysts, related to your menstrual cycle and hormonal changes. ALL lumps should be brought to the attention of your doctor.

9) Anti-perspirants cause cancer. FALSE. This rumor has been all over the internet. Perspiration (sweating) is your body's way of getting rid of toxins and adjusting your body temperature. You sweat from a lot of different pores, located all over your body. Potentially clogging up your sweat glands under the armpit (axilla) does not cause cancer.

10) A super healthy diet will prevent breast cancer. FALSE. There are no magic bullets here. The National Cancer Institute published the results of a study that eating properly can reduce your risk of cancer-related death by 50%, but can not guarantee that you will not develop cancer. A healthy diet includes five daily servings of fruits and vegetables, is low in fat and high in fiber. Eat right, feel better, look great and lower your risks!

11) Underwire bras cause cancer. FALSE. Nothing you wear, no cream, no shaving, no electrolysis will give you cancer. Not wearing a bra doesn't hurt you either. If your breasts are firm or sag it is based on your size, weight, muscle tone. You don't cause your breast cancer. Remember that, if nothing else. You are not at fault.

12) Breast cancer is contagious (you can catch it from someone else). FALSE. Breast cancer begins inside your body and you can't give it to someone else or get it from them by touching, sharing glasses, kissing, having sex, showering together - nothing, nada, zilch, zero. You are the patient if you get breast cancer. You didn't cause it; no one gave it to you. Acknowledge the fact that you have a disease and go out and fight to maintain your life as you want to!

13) The mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 (breast cancer genes) always come from your mother. FALSE. You get half your genes from mom and half from dad. When talking to your doctor and giving him a medical history, it is important to remember to include all cases of cancer and/or other diseases (all cancers, not just breast) that occurred on your mom's side of the family and your dad's side. Both are important for your well-being. Remember, men get breast cancer too. A man can also inherit the mutated gene from his mom.

14) A greater number of African American and Hispanic women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States annually. FALSE. Caucasian women (white) develop the most breast cancer. Recent studies from the American Cancer Society show that approximately 113 white women per 100,000 are diagnosed annually. American Indians have the lowest rate at 34 per 100,000. African American still have the highest death rate for every 100,000 women. Many advocates and scientists believe that these discrepancies are based on socio-economic status and include variances in insurance coverage, cultural beliefs, stage at diagnosis, general health care maintenance, access to treatment, environmental concerns, lifestyle, diet, language barriers. The under-served populations of the female community are being targeted for more aggressive educational and screening programs. We want to lower the numbers for all women. Even the risk of 10 per 100,000, regardless of race or ethnicity is too high.

15) Breast cancer is the #1 killer of women. FALSE. Heart disease accounts for more deaths each year.

16) Coffee causes cancer. FALSE. Too much caffeine, red meat, wine, sugar and so on, is not good for you. Every other day there is a new "breaking" story on tabloid TV telling you about the latest cause of cancer. Many foods and other factors in our daily lives are known as carcinogens (may cause cancer, not always tested in theory on humans).

17) Always examine your breasts in the shower. FALSE. Lots of organizations give you a shower card reminding you to do breast self-exam (BSE). There is a slight controversy about WHERE to do it - in the shower, lying down, in front of the mirror. We'll discuss BSE in the next section. The important thing to adhere to is doing your monthly self-exam, no matter where you do it!

18) A trauma (bump, punch, fall, car accident) to the breast can bring on breast cancer. FALSE. You might end up with a wounded breast - bruises, black and blue, tender, sore, swollen - but nothing external that touches/hurts your breast can cause cancer.

19) If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, you have just received a death sentence. FALSE. FALSE. FALSE. For the present generation, with early detection and improved treatment, 85% of the women diagnosed with breast cancer are alive and doing well as survivors after 5 years. 50% of those women are still active 10-20 years later.

20) Once you are diagnosed, you must act as quickly as possible. FALSE. By the time you find a lump or it shows up on a mammogram, it has been slowly growing for 7 to 10 years. Taking a few days to learn the facts, understand the options available, discuss it with your family/friends and make the decision that is right for you personally. Don't be afraid to get a second opinion. It is your right and most insurance companies encourage (and pay for) a second opinion. Discuss, research, analyze, question your doctors, feel comfortable with your medical team, weigh the choices and then YOU decide what is best for you.

Every 3 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States. Let's lower that number if we can. Let's work together to make a difference and learn the facts and spread the word and fund a cure.

http://www.feminist.org/other/bc/bcmyths... http://www.msnbc.com/news/469655.asp?cp1... http://www.mjbovo.com/BreastCaMyths.htm

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