According to the WHO, in 2020, 685,000 people died from breast cancer, and 2.3 million received a diagnosis.
It reported:“As of the end of 2020, there were 7.8 million women alive who were diagnosed with breast cancer in the past 5 years, making it the world’s most prevalent cancer.”
Its prevalence might help explain why there is a wide range of myths attached to it. Here, we will tackle some of the most common misunderstandings:
1. A breast injury can cause breast cancer
Injury to the breast cannot cause breast cancer however, it can cause changes in the breast that may mimic breast cancer on imaging.
This process is called ‘fat necrosis’ and it can look like an irregular mass with jagged edges on a mammogram, much like the appearance of a new breast cancer. The best way to distinguish cancer from fat necrosis is with a needle biopsy.
2. Underwire bras increase the risk of breast cancer
Although underwire bras do not increase breast cancer risk but there may be some benefits to wearing a bra with no wire.
Wire can irritate the skin under the breast, which can lead to skin breakdown. This breakdown may allow bacteria to enter the breast causing infection or an abscess.
3. IVF increases the risk of breast cancer
As part of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure, doctors often prescribe drugs that stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs. These drugs mimic the activity of oestrogen.
Because of this, some experts wondered whether they might encourage the growth of oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. As the name suggests, these cancer cells have oestrogen receptors on their membranes. There has been a recent piece of research looking at many observational studies done over the last 30 years that concluded that there is no increase in breast cancer risk for women who received ovarian stimulation drugs compared with the general population.
4. No one in my family had breast cancer, so I won’t develop it
Family history is not the main risk factor in breast cancer – in fact only 5-10% of breast cancers are caused by a genetic mutation that is passed between family members. So the majority of breast cancers are sporadic or have no hereditary cause. The most significant risk factor for developing breast cancer is being a woman. In the UK (on the latest available figures), 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer over their lifetime.
5. Being stressed can cause breast cancer
Some people have suggested a link between psychological stress (which is what people experience when under mental, physical or emotional pressure) and an increased risk of cancer. However, there is no strong evidence for this. Most studies have not found that such stress increases the risk of cancer.
However, people under stress can sometimes behave in unhealthy ways, such as smoking, overeating or drinking heavily, which do increase their risk of many cancers and have other serious implications for health. If you’re under stress, it’s important to try to find other ways of coping, such as doing physical activity.
6. A healthy lifestyle eliminates breast cancer risk
Whilst it is true that postmenopausal women who are overweight are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer.
It is important to remember that nothing you do can completely eliminate the risk of breast cancer – There are positive things you can do to reduce your risk.
Unsurprisingly these are:
- Not smoking
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a healthy diet
- Keeping active
7. Breast cancer only happens to older adults
While it is true that breast cancer risk increases as women age, and the average age of a new breast cancer diagnosis is 61 years, breast cancer can occur much earlier.
About 5% of new breast cancer diagnoses are in women under the age of 40 years. There, unfortunately, have been reports of women in their early 20s and even teens who have been diagnosed. There is typically a strong family history in these younger women. If you have significant lifetime breast cancer risk based on a strong family history, then you may qualify for genetic testing and early screening starting at age 25.
8. All lumps in the breast signal breast cancer
This is a myth — not all lumps in the breast are cancer. The majority of new breast lumps are benign. And, if you had a recent mammogram that was normal, then that percentage is likely even higher.
However it is VERY important that all lumps are evaluated. Remember checking your own breasts once a month is probably the most efficient way to pick up a possible cancer.
Breast symptoms to look out for:
- a new lump or thickening in your breast or armpit
- a change in size, shape or feel of your breast
- skin changes in the breast such as puckering, dimpling, a rash or redness of the skin
- fluid leaking from the nipple in a woman who isn’t pregnant or breast feeding
- changes in the position of the nipple
10. Carrying a phone in your bra can cause cancer
There is no evidence to support that cell phones cause cancer, period.
However, there are no long-term studies, so this may be found to be the case in the future. For now – maybe just put your phone in your pocket or bag?
11. Nipple piercings increase breast cancer risk
Nipple piercings do not increase breast cancer risk.
However – they can lead to complications, such as infection, abscess, difficulty breastfeeding due to blocked ducts from scar tissue, nerve damage, keloids, cysts and more rare but serious illness from hepatitis or HIV.
12. Sugar causes breast cancer
Sugar should be avoided in general. It is addictive.
It can cause mood swings, it leads to spikes in insulin, which puts the body in a pro-inflammatory state. This, in turn, can lead to heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic inflammatory diseases.
Too much sugar can result in obesity, which is a risk factor for breast cancer.
However, studies investigating links between sugar and breast cancer have been mixed and inconsistent. There is no concrete evidence to support that sugar helps tumours grow but cancer cells divide rapidly and therefore use a lot of energy – so the jury is out but as sugar is so bad for you in so many ways just abstain as much as possible.
13. Men do not get breast cancer
Men have breasts… so yes, they too get breast cancer but it is relatively rare. Around 370 men a year in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer and most are over the age of 60.
So although breast cancer is more common in women than men, it is important for men to get any lumps, pain or changes in their breasts to be investigated. Common risk factor is family history in men and the common genetic mutation is the BRCA 2 gene.
14. Mammograms cause breast cancer to spread
This is a common misconception – The thinking is that squeezing the cancer with compression during mammography, or performing a needle biopsy on the cancer, will cause the cancer to seed other parts of the breast. There is absolutely no evidence to support this. The performance of a mammogram uses a very low dose of radiation and compression and has no documented or theoretical relationship to causing breast cancer. However there are some issues with mammograms finding lumps that will never cause problems in the woman’s life. If you are worried about mammograms and false positives talk to your healthcare provider.
Other things potentially cancer forming
- Pesticides
- Hormones in farm animals
- Food additives
- Coffee
- Burnt/browned foods
- Tap water (non UK)
There may be some very small risks associated with these things but they are far outweighed by not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and keeping active
The take-home
Breast cancer is common, and while a healthy lifestyle reduces the risk to a certain extent, vigilance is key. The earlier a doctor catches breast cancer, the higher the chances of surviving it. So examine your own breasts regularly.
