Think Pinker

KCAU TV ABC did a great article on the 25 myths of breast cancer and in part one we looked at some. Now we’ll look at a few more. Although I strongly encourage you visit their site for all the details. It’s very educational.

1. Small-breasted women have a less chance of developing breast cancer.

There is no connection between the size of ones breasts and the risk of breast cancer.

2. Breast cancer always presents as a lump.

A lump can be indicative of breast cancer but there are other kinds of changes that may be signs of cancer including swelling, dimpling, skin irritation, nipple pain, and more. I encourage you go read the full details at KCAU TV

3. After a mastectomy, you can’t get breast cancer.

Not true - sometimes women do get breast cancer after a mastectomy

4. Your father’s family history of breast cancer does not affect your risk of breast cancer.

Your father’s family history of breast cancer is just as important as your mother’s when it comes to risk.

5. Caffeine causes breast cancer.

There is no connection between drinking caffeine and getting breast cancer.

6. If you’re at risk for breast cancer, all you can do is watch for the signs.

There are lots of things you can do to reduce your risk, including losing weight, regular exercise, eliminating alcohol consumption, and regular breast examinations including mammograms.

7. Women who have lumpy breasts (fibrocystic breasts) have a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

At one time, it was thought to be so but there as been no evidence to back that up.

8. Annual mammograms increase your risk of cancer because of the radiation.

The small amounts used in the mammogram do not increase your risk.

9. Needle biopsies can disturb cancer cells and cause them to spread to other parts of the body.

There is no evidence to support this.

10. After heart disease, breast cancer is the nation’s leading killer of women.

Actually, stroke, lung cancer, and respiratory disease kill far more people than breast cancer.