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Top 10 Breast Cancer Myths
1. Men can't get breast cancer.
This breast cancer myth is highly believed by many people. Although women develop breast cancer at a higher rate, men can develop breast cancer, too. About 1600 men will develop breast cancer in the US this year.
2. Underwire bras can cause breast cancer.
There was a rumor circulating years ago about underwire bras causing cancer. The good thing is that this myth is not true. It was thought that wearing an underwire bra could.
3. Women under 40 don't get breast cancer.
Yes, a woman's risk of developing breast cancer increases with age, but women of all ages can develop breast cancer. This is why women of all ages need to preform a monthly breast self exam.
4. Antiperspirants and deodorants can cause breast cancer.
This is probably the most popular breast cancer myth of all. The rumor indicated that when you used deodorant or an antiperspirant and then cut yourself while shaving, a chemical could leak into the skin, causing breast cancer. Thank goodness it isn't true, but many women still go without wearing deodorant because of the myth.
5. Birth control pills cause cancer. *** (lack of data)
Birth control pills do contain small amounts of estrogen, however the amount is so small, it is not even a factor in breast cancer development. If you have any concerns about the use of oral contraceptives and breast cancer, please talk to your physician.
6. Mammograms can spread breast cancer, or even cause it.
The amount of radiation is so low that there is no doubt that mammograms are safe. There is a standard for safety established for mammograms by the American College of Radiology, and is mandated by Congress.
7. A lump in the breast is breast cancer.
A lump in the breast can indicate many things, not just cancer. More than 80% percent of lumps found are benign.
8. Breast cancer only develops in one breast.
Breast cancer has the ability to develop, or spread in both breasts.
9. A mastectomy is the only treatment for breast cancer.
There are several treatments for breast cancer including chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Mastectomy is not the only option.
10. Women with small breasts have a very low risk of developing breast cancer.
The amount of breast tissue a woman has does not affect her risk factor for developing breast cancer. Breast cancer does not discriminate against large or small breasts.
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Comment by
NoRoomForContraception.com -
Dear Dr.Pillenger,
Separate studies published in the January 2006 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine, the October 2006 edition of Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, and the October 2006 edition of Mayo Clinic Proceedings connect oral contraception with breast cancer.
In 2005 the International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the World Health Organization - WHO) declared combined estrogen-progestogen contraceptives as being "carcinogenic to humans"
Organizations, like the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, recognize that OCs increase the risk of breast cancer to some degree. (Though the information on their website is dated--it's from 2003 or earlier).
Breast cancer is deadly, even localized breast cancer associated with contraception use. How many women have to die before it becomes a “significant number”? How many have to die before doctors stop denying the association - and stop calling the association a myth?
Your post claims that the amount of estrogen is “so small, it is not even a factor in breast cancer development” yet you list no studies which support this claim. I think it’s dangerous to spread such myths while there is a significant lack of data out there regarding low dose OCs.
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