Breast Cancer awareness month comes with the dawning of October. The month is in equal parts thinking about those who have gone before and supporting the movement toward breaking the disease’s hold on humanity. Data is a powerful tool, and Cancer of the breast Awareness Month should be about learning from the reality and myths surrounding breast cancer.
Cancer of the breast Awareness Month through the figures
In 2009, 192,370 brand new cases of invasive breast cancer were found in women, reports American Cancer Society. That exact same year women were diagnosed with 62,280 early-stage breast cancer. Over 40,000 of those were considered to be life threatening. Last year a lot more men were diagnosed also. About 2,000 men were told this. Of those, about 440 were predicted to die.
Common breast cancer myths
- You’ll get cancer from an underwire bra
This one typically is a false belief about constricting breast tissue. The idea is the underwire will cause toxins to build up that way causing cancer. This isn’t true. That is made clear by Dr. Deborah Axelrod who spoke to CBS.
- Breast cancer can be caused by something else. This is deodorant
This isn’t true either. Dr. Schnabel explains this. No studies have shown a link between antiperspirant and toxins that trigger breast cancer.
- Plastic water bottles trigger breast cancer
There is a debate on whether or not a cancer-causing dioxin is leaked into the water by sitting in plastic water bottles, although there is not a consensus. Numerous believe the plastic releases BPA (bisphenol) also. This has not been linked to cancer either but is a concern for many.
- Mammograms trigger breast cancer
Dr. Schnabel tells CBS News that the amount of radiation (.1 to .2 rads per picture) released in a mammogram is equal to or less than what a woman’s breasts are exposed to naturally over a three-month period.
- Lumpy breasts increase chances
A woman won’t be getting cancer of the breast as a result of lumpy breasts although it can be more difficult to detect with lumpy breasts. However, Dr. Axelrod advises that it is best to treat newly discovered breast lumps with caution and have a doctor investigate.
- No family history, no breast cancer
Family genes can make it easier to get cancer of the breast. Of course, 80 percent of cases are actually just random.
Articles cited
American Cancer Society
cancer.org/Research/CancerFactsFigures/BreastCancerFactsFigures/index
CBS News
cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20018296-10391704.html
