Thanks to extensive medical research, we now understand more about biology and treatment of breast cancer than ever before. Public awareness campaigns have significantly increased knowledge about the disease, which affects one in six women in India. However, many myths about breast cancer persist, both online and in everyday conversations. Dr. Sachin Ambekar, Director of Minimal Access Surgery, Surgical Oncology & Medical Director at MASSH Hospital, has debunked some of the most common breast cancer myths.
Myth 1: Breast cancer is mostly inherited
Fact: Only 10-15% of breast cancers result from inherited genetic mutations like BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2. While these mutations increase risk, the majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no known genetic mutations or family history.
Myth 2: Only women can get breast cancer
Fact: Although breast cancer is more common in women, men can develop it too. In 2023, around 2,790 men were diagnosed with the disease. Male breast cancer is often undertreated, leading to poorer outcomes. Like women, men have breast tissue, making them susceptible to breast cancer.
Myth 3: Only older people get breast cancer
Fact: While breast cancer is more common in women over 50, younger women are increasingly being diagnosed. Over the last five years, cases in women under 50 have risen by more than 2% annually. Younger women often face more aggressive forms of the disease, which are diagnosed later and have worse outcomes.
Myth 4: You can’t reduce your risk of breast cancer
Fact: While no prevention method is guaranteed, women can take proactive steps to reduce their risk. These include undergoing breast cancer risk assessments, learning their family history, monitoring changes in their breasts, eating a healthy diet, limiting alcohol, quitting smoking, and exercising regularly.
Myth 5: Mammograms aren’t effective
Fact: Mammograms have saved millions of lives by detecting breast cancer early. Early detection increases the chances of successful treatment with less invasive procedures. New technologies like contrast-enhanced spectral mammography and AI-powered thermal imaging have further improved screening effectiveness.
Myth 6: Everyone’s breast cancer is the same
Fact: Breast cancer is not one single disease. It is a collection of diseases with different causes, prognoses, and responses to treatment. Ongoing research is helping to personalize breast cancer treatment, matching therapies to the unique characteristics of each tumor for better outcomes.
Myth 7: Breast cancer always presents as a lump
Fact: While lumps are a common symptom, breast cancer can also manifest in other ways, including breast swelling, skin dimpling, nipple discharge, or redness. Many women are diagnosed during routine screenings before symptoms appear.
Myth 8: Wearing wire bras or using antiperspirants increases breast cancer risk
Fact: Studies have debunked this claim. A 2014 study involving 1,500 women found no link between bra-wearing habits and breast cancer. Similarly, there is no scientific evidence connecting antiperspirants to breast cancer.
Myth 9: Eating sugar causes breast cancer to grow faster
Fact: Cutting out sugar does not shrink cancer. However, a diet high in refined sugar can lead to obesity and inflammation, which are risk factors for breast cancer. A balanced diet with limited processed sugars is recommended.
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