Debunking the breast cancer myths
How many of the myths about breast cancer did you believe before you were diagnosed, or even after? I believe those myths do more harm than just frighten us, they can also obscure the key messages to help women understand their risk of breast cancer.
So let’s debunk some of the most prevalent myths right now!
Myth No 1 – It’s All in the Genes
You know how this one goes. It’s all in your genes, therefore there is nothing you can do to prevent it, so why even try! In fact, the idea in the public’s mind that if there is no history of cancer in your family, you are somehow protected from getting the disease, is an erroneous one. The fact is that only 5-10% of breast cancers are hereditary.
Cancer is a complex group of diseases with many possible causes, including lifestyle factors such as smoking, diet, and physical activity and environmental exposures to different types of chemicals and radiation. What most people don’t realise is that cancer is preventable in many cases. Learning what causes cancer and what the risk factors are is the first step in cancer prevention. Many cancer risk factors can be avoided, thus reducing the likelihood of developing cancer.
Myth No 2: Red Meat Causes Cancer
In fact no scientific studies have linked red meat or any other specific foods to increased risk of breast cancer but they have shown a link between alcohol consumption, even in moderation, and breast cancer.Alcohol consumption is also linked to several other cancers, including oral, throat, esophagus and liver.
Myth No 3: A Lump in My Breast Means I have Breast Cancer
Not necessarily. Breast tissue is changing all the time because of varying hormone levels, especially during menstruation or breastfeeding. Lumps can be benign growths of tissue, but if you do feel one you should always have it checked out striaght away to be on the safe side.
Related Posts
Study confirms lifestyle link to breast cancer
Walking can decrease breast cancer recurrence
Physically fit women less likely to die from breast cancer
Exercise and losing weight can cut risk of cancer recurrence
Role of diet in cancer prevention
If you want to sort out the facts from the myths check out 9 things you should know about breast cancer
Image Credit: Jupiter Images
Pingback: Tweets that mention Debunking the breast cancer myths « Journeying Beyond Breast Cancer -- Topsy.com
Pingback: Debunking the breast cancer myths « Journeying Beyond Breast Cancer
I don’t even recall even thinking about breast cancer before I was diagnosed. Probably because “young women don’t get breast cancer”….yet another myth !!! There’s a lot of bad information out there, and much of it very scary. My advice to the newly diagnosed? Develop a very strong filter immediately, and stick to the facts and what you know today. Take things a day at a time and ask a lot of questions. But stay way from the junk science.
LikeLike
Almost all of those fit me to a tee. Healthy eating ,exercise,no one in family ever had BC . And yet, here I am–2nd time, now to mets. Always get as much info as you can from more than one source. I subscribe to Google Breast Cancer alerts and some of those article are way out there. But most are very good.
LikeLike