Breast Cancer Awareness: 8 myths about the illness debunked

Worldwide, the month of october is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in an effort to raise public consciousness about the importance of breast health and to disseminate information about the signs and symptoms of the disease. The American Cancer Society kicked up this worldwide initiative in 1985 to increase funding for breast cancer research.

According to recent research, the incidence of breast cancer among Indian women, particularly in metropolitan areas, is on the rise. Approximately 100,000 new cases of breast cancer are detected every year in India, as pointed out by Dr. Shiveta Razdan, a consultant in breast oncology at Amrita Hospital in Faridabad. One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and the mortality rate is 10.6 percent. Unfortunately, many cases are detected a decade earlier and more aggressively in India than they are in the West.

There is a lot of false information floating around the internet about breast cancer. Dr. Divya Singh, director of the Maaiya Social Change Front Foundation and a senior surgeon at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, was the person we consulted for advice on how to handle this matter.

Dispelling 8 disease myths:-

1. Only women can get breast cancer 
2. Breast cancer is more common in women with bigger breasts
3. Only older women get breast cancer 
4. Breast cancer is always linked with family history
5. Breast cancer lumps are always painful 
6. Wearing a bra can cause breast cancer
7. A mammogram can cause breast cancer or spread it
8. A lump in the breast is always cancerous 

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1 Myth: Only women can get breast cancer

In spite of the fact that women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, it is essential to remember that men can also have this disease. As a matter of fact, men have a mortality risk that is 25 percent greater than women do as a result of lower awareness levels and a tendency to miss breast lumps, which can potentially lead to delayed treatment.

2 Myth: Breast cancer is more common in women with bigger breasts

There is no correlation between breast size and the likelihood of developing cancer, despite the fact that checking larger breasts can be more difficult at times. Although being overweight and having dense breasts both contribute to an increased risk of breast cancer, a strong family history of the disease and certain lifestyle choices are the most important risk factors.

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3 Myth: Only older women get breast cancer 

Breast cancer can strike women of any age, even younger women, despite the fact that the chance of developing the disease increases with advancing years. Due to the fact that breast cancer in younger women has a tendency to be more aggressive, it is essential to diagnose the disease at an early stage by routine screenings and self-exams.

4 Myth: Breast cancer is always linked with family history

Although a history of breast cancer in your family can put you at a higher risk for developing the disease yourself, the vast majority of people who are diagnosed with breast cancer have no such family history. According to the statistics, only approximately 10 percent of people who are diagnosed with breast cancer have a history of having this disease in their family. Having a history of breast cancer in your family may require you to begin tests at an earlier age or more frequently, but it does not necessarily mean you will acquire the disease yourself.

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5 Myth: Breast cancer lumps are always painful 

Not every case of breast cancer results in discomfort. In many instances, there is little discomfort, particularly in the earlier phases. Although the lack of breast pain does not rule out the possibility of breast cancer, breast pain or discomfort might be an indication of the disease.

6 Myth: Wearing a bra can cause breast cancer

Cancer is not caused by bras or any other type of apparel. It is believed that wearing a bra, particularly one with underwires, might limit the passage of lymph fluid out of the breast, which can lead to the accumulation of harmful compounds in the tissue. This is especially true for women who have larger breasts. However, this theory is not supported by any evidence.

7 Myth: A mammogram can cause breast cancer or spread it

Mammograms are widely considered to be among the most reliable methods for the early identification of breast cancer. Mammograms do require very small quantities of radiation; nevertheless, the danger of being harmed as a result of this radiation exposure is exceptionally minimal.

8 Myth: A lump in the breast is always cancerous

Although a medical practitioner should examine any new lump in the breast, it is important to remember that not all breast lumps are indicative of cancer. The majority of breast lumps, also known as cysts or fibroadenomas, are noncancerous and benign. The type of the lump can be determined by the performance of tests by a healthcare provider.