HEALTH

Tulip Magazine focuses on some of the most common misunderstandings associated with breast cancer. We have also enlisted Dr Crystal Fancher, a surgical breast Oncologist to help us clear all myths associated with Breast Cancer.

1. Can a breast injury cause breast cancer? Injury to the breast cannot cause breast cancer, however, it can cause changes in the breast that may mimic breast cancer on imaging. The best way to distinguish cancer from fat necrosis is with a needle biopsy.

2. Can underwire bras increase the risk of breast cancer? The wire can irritate the skin under the breast, which can lead to skin breakdown. This breakdown may allow bacteria to enter the breast causing infection, [an] abscess. Although underwire bras do not increase breast cancer risk, I always recommend bras without a wire.

3. No one in my family had breast cancer, so is it possible that even I won’t develop it? It is very common for [people] with a new breast cancer diagnosis to tell me how shocked they are considering that they have no family history. Because family history is only one factor in the risk of breast cancer, screening is important. If you are a woman and at least 40 years old, please get your screening mammograms!

4. Can stress cause Breast Cancer? With the ever-present stresses of modern life, it is no surprise that people are concerned about how stress might impact health. There is absolutely no evidence to support a link between stress and breast cancer. In fact, there is evidence to support that stress does not increase breast cancer risk. Part of being human is finding effective ways to deal with the stress we all will inevitably face. This can have profound health benefits both mentally and physically but will do nothing to mitigate breast cancer risk.

5. Does Breast Cancer only happen to older adults? While it is true that breast cancer risk increases as women age and the average age of a new breast cancer diagnosis are 61 years, breast cancer can occur much earlier. About 5% of new breast cancer diagnoses are in women under the age of 40 years. There, unfortunately, have been reports of women in their early 20s and even teens who were diagnosed.

6. Does carrying a phone in your bra can cause cancer? There is no evidence to support that cell phones cause cancer, period. “However, we do not have any long-term studies, so we may find this to be the case in the future. For now, why can’t you just put your phone in your pocket or bag?”

7. Do Nipple piercings increase breast cancer risk? This is clearly a myth. nipple piercings do not increase breast cancer risk. However, they can lead to complications, such as infection, abscess, difficulty breastfeeding due to blocked ducts from scar tissue, nerve damage, keloids, cysts, and more rare but serious illness from HIV and hepatitis B and C.”

8. Does Sugar Cause Breast Cancer? Too much sugar can result in obesity, which is a risk factor for breast cancer. Studies investigating links between sugar and breast cancer have been “mixed and inconsistent. While discussing sugar, it is worth busting a related myth: that sugar helps tumours grow. This myth arose because cancer cells divide rapidly and, therefore, need a lot of energy.

9. Can men get breast cancer? Men have breasts. So yes, they too get breast cancer. While breast cancer is more common in women than men, there are still men who get breast cancer. It’s important for men also to be aware of any changes in their breasts since there are no recommended screening guidelines for men.

10. If there is no lump, there is no cancer. Is this true? If this were true, then we would not need mammograms. Many breast cancers are found on screening mammograms and may not be felt. This is especially true for noninvasive breast cancer which may only show up as calcifications on a screening mammogram.