• Breast Cancer
• Cancer

It’s My Bra’s Fault! And Other Breast Cancer Myths

Let’s get this off our chest. The amount of misinformation about breast cancer is astounding! Here’s the truth about some of the most notorious breast cancer rumors.

Myth #1: Antiperspirants cause breast cancer.
Could something as simple (and routine) as applying antiperspirant to your underarms increase your risk for breast cancer? Not according to science. The American Cancer Society reports that a thorough study of over 1,500 women revealed no link between antiperspirant use and the development of breast cancer.

Myth #2: A lump in your breast means you have breast cancer.
Regularly checking for lumps in your breast is important. If there is a lump, you should get it checked out ASAP. But don’t automatically assume the worst. The truth is that only a very small percentage of lumps turn out to be breast cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Myth #3: Men do not get breast cancer; it affects women only.
Every year, approximately 2,190 men are diagnosed with breast cancer. And sadly, 410 men die of breast cancer every year. Those figures from the National Breast Cancer Foundation underscore why both women and men should perform breast self-exams periodically while they are in the shower.

Myth #4: A mammogram can cause breast cancer to spread.
When you get a mammogram, an x-ray of the breast, your breasts are placed between two plates on a machine and lightly compressed. But that compression does not cause cancer cells to spread.

The amount of misinformation about breast cancer is astounding!

Myth #5: Artificial sweeteners cause cancer.
Could that no-calorie sweetener you put in your coffee actually be setting you up for cancer later? The National Cancer Institute says researchers checked out saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame, sucralose and neotame—and found no link that they cause cancer in humans.

Myth #6: Bras can cause breast cancer because they block lymph nodes in the breast.
Don’t blame the bra. The American Cancer Society says that same thorough study of over 1,500 women (see Myth #1) did not find a link between wearing a bra and developing breast cancer. 

Myth #7: If you have one mammogram, you don’t need another.
When you turn 40, talk to your health care provider about a mammogram schedule that’s right for you. Since breast cancer tends to grow slowly, your regular appointments should help you catch it while the cancer cells are still small and treatable. No matter what age you are, if you notice a lump in your breast you should call your doctor right away.

Myth #8: Getting a mammogram exposes you to a lot of cancer-causing radiation.
All x-rays use radiation to take a picture. The amount of radiation you are exposed to when you get a mammogram is very small. The benefits of getting a mammogram are much greater than any risk you would be exposed to.

Myth #9: The size of your breasts increases your risk of developing breast cancer.
Whether you are large or small chested, your cup size has no bearing on whether or not you will develop breast cancer.

Source: American Cancer Society; National Breast Cancer Foundation; National Cancer Institute; California Department of Health