Common myths about breast cancer
Breast cancer, like any other cancer, is a complicated disease. One of the
best ways to understand it is to make sure you know what is fact and what
is fiction. Below are eight myths about breast cancer that we commonly hear
at University of Colorado Hospital. Please take a few minutes to make sure
that you know the truth about these common misperceptions.
Myth: Breast cancer only affects women.
Truth: Though much less common, men also can develop breast cancer. In fact,
the American Cancer Society estimates that in 2005 approximately 1,690 new
cases of male breast cancer will be diagnosed in the United States, and 460
men will die from this disease. All cases of male breast cancer only account
for one percent of all breast cancer cases.
Myth: Half of all breast cancers are due to a genetic mutation.
Truth: Only about 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are due to mutations
of the BRACI and BRAC2 genes, the two known genes responsible for breast
cancers.
Myth: All birth control pills cause breast cancer.
Truth: The exact relationship between birth control pills and breast cancer
is not fully known at this time. It is believed that today’s birth
control pills, which contain very low doses of the hormones progesterone
and estrogen, do not cause cancer. Older, high-dose pills have been associated
with increased risk for breast cancer in a few studies.
Myth: Women with small breasts cannot get breast cancer.
Truth: The size of a woman’s
breasts, or the amount of breast tissue she has, does not affect a woman’s
risk for developing breast cancer. Breast size has not been shown to be a
risk factor for this disease.
Myth: Breast cancer is contagious.
Truth: Breast cancer is not contagious and cannot be spread from one person
to the next through breathing the same air, drinking out of the same cup
or by coming in contact with someone else’s blood or other bodily fluids.
Breast cancer occurs when there is a change in the normal cells of the breast(s),
which results in a cancerous (malignant) tumor. Some common breast cancer
risk factors include gender, age, a family history of breast cancer, a previous
breast biopsy showing benign or non-cancerous conditions, personal history
of breast cancer, mutation of the gene BRAC1 or BRAC2, race, menstrual periods,
alcohol use, smoking and a high-fat diet.
Myth: Breast cancer only affects older women.
Truth: The risk for developing breast cancer increases with age, but the
disease can occur at any age. The American Cancer Society reports that eight
out of 10 breast cancers are diagnosed in women over 50.
Myth: Only your mother’s family history of breast cancer can
affect your risk.
Truth: Both your mother’s and father’s family history of breast
cancer needs to be taken into account when assessing your personal risk.
Both family histories will influence your risk equally. When looking over
your family histories, remember to look at both male and female family members,
especially your first degree relatives (i.e., parents, children and brothers/sisters).
Myth: If I perform a monthly breast self-exam, I don’t need
an annual mammogram.
Truth: Self-exam is only one of several tools available for detecting breast
cancer. While self-exam is important, it also is important to take advantage
of the other, more reliable breast cancer detection tools available. Annual
mammography and monthly breast self-exam, as well as regular clinical breast
exams, should be used in combination to detect breast cancer early and help
save lives.
If you have a breast cancer or breast health myth you would like one of our
experts to sort out, please send it to Sarah.Brooks@uch.edu.
About the Author
Anne Leyba, ANP-C, MSN, ONC, is an adult nurse practitioner in the breast center and department of surgery at University of Colorado Hospital. For the past 11 years she has specifically worked with cancer patients and most recently as a nurse practitioner in the breast center.
For more information about the University of Colorado Hospital Breast Center, visit www.uch.edu/breast or call 720-848-1030.
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