Breast most cancers is the second main reason behind most cancers deaths in American girls. Regardless of many years of analysis and public outreach efforts, there are nonetheless many misconceptions and concrete myths about breast most cancers.
Marking the top of Breast Most cancers Consciousness month in October, Dr. Joanne Mortimer of Metropolis of Hope hopes to debunk a number of the widespread myths.
Fable: Breast most cancers is just for girls.
Fact: 1 in 100 breast most cancers circumstances within the U.S. is present in a person, in line with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. Males can develop related signs, corresponding to a lump or flaky pores and skin within the breast. Males who expertise nipple discharge also needs to search medical recommendation. The chance of breast most cancers in males additionally will increase with age and weight problems.
Fable: Breast Most cancers is hereditary.
Fact: Solely 5 to 10% of most cancers circumstances have genetic inclinations, in line with Dr. Mortimer. Whereas hereditary elements can improve an individual’s probabilities of creating breast most cancers, different components like age and lack of train will be the causes.
Fable: Utilizing antiperspirants or deodorants causes most cancers.
Fact: “There’s completely no proof that antiperspirants are related to an elevated threat of breast most cancers,” Dr. Mortimer says. “The parable has been perpetuated for many years, and I don’t know the way come we will’t eliminate it.”
Fable: Carrying your cellphone in your bra may cause most cancers.
Fact: No, placing your cell phone in your bra, bra strap or pocket doesn’t trigger most cancers.
“It began with mind tumors years in the past when folks thought holding your cellphone would trigger mind tumors. It doesn’t trigger mind tumors, and it doesn’t trigger breast most cancers,” Dr. Mortimer explains.
The oncologist additionally urges folks to obtain mammograms or breast most cancers screenings, particularly in the event that they missed common check-ups throughout the coronavirus pandemic when hospitals and medical facilities have been compelled to shut. She says inside a brief interval, folks can develop an aggressive type of most cancers.
Metropolis of Hope is holding a digital occasion that goals to lift cash for the ladies’s most cancers analysis program. Register at WalkForHope.com.
