Myths about breast cancer

There is so much information about breast cancer, its prevention and risks that it has become crucial to separate the myths from the real facts. Knowing and understanding the truth about breast cancer, can help you take proactive steps that will help protect you and those you love. Here are some common myths about breast cancer-

• Antiperspirants cause breast cancer-There is simply no research that backs this up. In fact, this myth has been around so long, it has become part of the urban myth landscape. Many people are not even aware of how this myth started. A small (very small) study was done, on tissue samples from breast cancer patients. In a few cases, the chemical substance parabens was found. This is only significant because parabens is found in a few types of antiperspirants. However, research has shown that there is no direct link between breast cancer and the use of antiperspirants.
• If I don't have a family history, I'm safe-This is one of the most common myths about breast cancer. However, you may be surprised to learn that only about 15% of breast cancer patients have a family history. That leaves the large majority of patients with no family history of breast cancer. In addition, it is important to understand that while the risk is considerably higher for women, men are not totally immune. About 3% of breast cancer patients are male. Not matter what your family history, you should be receiving all preventive testing available and discuss with your health care professional what your personal risk is, family history involved or not.
• If I get breast cancer, it is a death sentence-This myth may have been true a very long time ago. However, today there are more and more breast cancer's being diagnosed at an earlier stage. Statistics show that approximately 80% of women who are diagnosed with cancer, before it has spread, will survive at least 5 years beyond their diagnosis, with most living many, many years beyond that. While early detection is crucial, you should also understand that even for those patients with breast cancer that is further developed and may have spread, the odds of survival are improving everyday.
• Breast cancer only affects older women-Again, this is simply not true. While a women's risk does increase as she gets older, younger women are not immune to the disease. This is why breast self exams and later mammograms are so important. While a women's lifetime risk is about 14.4 % early detection can make all the difference. Women of every age need to focus on developing a healthy lifestyle and reducing their overall risk.
• Eating a high fat diet can cause breast cancer-While eating a high fat diet is not a good idea, for several reasons, there has not been proven a direct link between breast cancer and high fat foods. The problem develops when a women has a lot of high fat in her diet and becomes overweight. Excessive body weight stores more fat that results in higher estrogen, and higher estrogen can affect whether or not you develop breast cancer. The bottom line is that eating a low fat diet is not only good for your breast health, but your overall health as well.
• If I have kids and breastfeed, then I have protection-While it is true that if you have at least two pregnancies before you turn 30 and your breastfeed, you can lower your risk, it will not be a complete protection. To further reduce your risk all women should get regular exercise, eat a healthy diet, don't smoke and drink very little alcohol. Combining this with preventive screenings and annual visits to your doctor, you are doing all you can to combat breast cancer.