Think Pinker

KCAU TV ABC did a great article on the 25 myths of breast cancer and while U\I can’t cover it all here in just one short blog I encourage you to drop by their site and read not just the myths but the details, for it’s very educational. For now let’s look at just a few of those myths.

1. Only women that have a family history of breast cancer are at risk of developing this disease

70% of all women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.

2. An underwire bra increases your risk of developing breast cancer.

The type of bra you wear, the tightness of it, or the materials it is made from – none of these affect your risk of developing breast cancer.

3. Breast lumps are cancerous

Not true – almost 80% of all breast lumps are actually noncancerous.

4. If you expose a tumour to air during surgery your breast cancer will spread.

Surgery will not cause your breast cancer to spread. What it will do is tell your surgeons that it had spread further than previously thought.

5. If you have breast implants it will increase your chances of developing breast cancer. 

Not true – the only concern is that a standard mammogram may not work well on women with implants so x-rays may be needed.

6. Women have a 1 in 8 change of developing breast cancer. 

Your risk goes up as you get older, and while by the time you are 85 you risk is 1 in 8, when you are in your 30’s its 1 in 233.

7. Using antiperspirant increases your risk of breast cancer. 

While currently this is considered myth there is acknowledgement that further study is needed. If you are concerned use deodorant rather than antiperspirant.