Breast Cancer: Facts And Myths

It’s that time of the year when your social media feeds are overloading with information, quotes, tweets, and forward messages about breast cancer. While it should be acknowledged and appreciated that this life-threatening disease is finally getting all the attention it deserves, however, as the awareness about Breast cancer is increasing, the line between myths and facts is becoming a blur with every passing day.

When it comes to information about health issues, people find it convenient to just use Google for everything they want to know. While it might seem empowering, the authentication of these facts cannot be judged.

Moreover, the information rarely makes you feel optimistic about your condition. All you have to do is type the word ‘cancer’ and you’ll find endless results thrown in your face, enough to give you a mild heart attack.

If you too are stuck in this sea of information and trying to find your way out, following are a few myths related to breast cancer that needs urgent correction.

Myth: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle means you don’t have to worry about breast cancer.

Facts: A healthier lifestyle choice might lower breast cancer risk, but it does not eliminate the possibility of breast cancer.

Exercising regularly, eating healthy, limiting alcohol consumption, and staying away from any kind of substance abuse, cannot guarantee that you might not develop Breast cancer. That being said, it’s always a good idea to keep your body healthy and ready to fight any kind of abnormality.

Myth: Wearing a bra can cause breast cancer.

Fact: There is no evidence to support this argument.

While no one can deny that going braless is liberating, many women fear that if don’t wear a bra regularly, they might develop breast cancer. Well, turns out, it’s all in your head. Till date, the health care experts have not found any evidence to substantiate this. Bra or no bra, breast cancer does not discriminate.

Myth: Using antiperspirants can cause breast cancer.

Fact: This has not been clinically proven yet.

While health care experts still trying to figure if antiperspirants are entirely safe to use, there is no evidence that its usage can cause cancer.

Myth: Consuming an excessive amount of sugar can cause breast cancer.

Fact: This has not been scientifically proven yet.

While it can cause a lot of other health issues, there is no evidence that directly connects sugar consumption to breast cancer. However, it’s always a good idea to keep sugar consumption in check for a healthier life.

Myth: Breast cancer always causes a lump that you can easily feel by regular self-examination.

Fact: That’s not true.

Breast cancer might not always cause a lump, especially during the developing stage. And by the time it does, it probably means it has already moved into the lymph nodes. If it can be felt, it might mean the situation has gotten critical. This does not mean self-exams are useless. While it can act as a substitute to mammography, it’s always a good idea to keep checking for any kind of change in your breast.

Now that we have got you covered, this breast cancer awareness month, spread factually correct information with this article. Take care of your breasts! And always remember your doctor knows better than Google.