Breast cancer myths

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among Vincentian women. Although a lot is known about this disease, there are still some myths that exist. This article serves to debunk the most popular myths.

Myth No. 1: Antiperspirants cause breast cancer

There have been no studies to suggest that there is a link between antiperspirants and breast cancer. Antiperspirants contain some aluminum, which may show up on mammograms as a false-positive result. One thing that is important for women to know is that when they go for their mammograms, they shouldn’t wear antiperspirants.{{more}}

Myth No. 2: Radiation from screening tests causes cancer

Although mammograms do give off a small amount of radiation, the radiation dose in a mammogram is less than that in a standard X-ray. It is so low that it wouldn’t increase breast cancer risk. Women should know that MRIs and ultrasounds that may be used to screen breast cancer in some women contain no radiation at all.

Myth No. 3: You have to have a family history to get cancer

Women who don’t have a family history of breast cancer are surprised when they get breast cancer. A family history is a well-established risk factor – so well established that some women may believe that is the only risk factor, but it’s not. Less than 10 per cent of breast cancer patients get it because of a familial history.

Myth No. 4: Breast cancer occurs in older women

Increasing age is a risk factor for breast cancer, so the older you are the more likely you are to get breast cancer. That doesn’t mean younger women aren’t vulnerable. Breast cancer can be diagnosed at any age. It tends to be more aggressive in younger women.

Myth No. 5: Self-examinations aren’t necessary

Actually, the research is inconclusive on this question. There is no downside to it. It’s cheap and easy to do. It makes one familiar with the shape and the normal breast, so detecting abnormalities can be easier.

Myth No. 6: Mammograms aren’t accurate, so why bother?

Recent controversy about the right time for women to begin having mammograms – whether they should begin at age 40 or at age 50 – has left some women feeling the screening test may not be worthwhile.

Younger women often have denser breast tissue than older women, who have more fat tissue in the breast. The denser the breast, the less accurate the mammogram is going to be. Having a bad mammogram is better than having none. It is the only thing that we have shown this far to reduce the mortality from breast cancer.

Get your screening done today! Although breast cancer screening cannot prevent breast cancer, it can help find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat. Talk to your doctor about which breast cancer screening tests are right for you, and when you should have them.

Dr Rosmond Adams, MD is a medical doctor and a public health specialist with training in bioethics and ethical issues in medicine, the life sciences and research. He is the head of Health Information, Communicable Diseases and Emergency Response at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). (The views expressed here are not written on behalf of CARPHA).

Dr Rosmond Adams is a medical doctor and a public health specialist.

He may be emailed at: adams-rosmond@gmail.com