ASK THE EXPERT
Debunking Myths about Breast Cancer By Alia Abdulla DO
Myth 1: Wearing a bra (with or without underwire) can cause breast cancer.
A study, published in 2014, looked at the correlation between breast cancer and bras. It found that the patients diagnosed with breast cancer were NOT RELATED TO BRAS. They did find that people who take hormone replacement therapy, have a first-degree family history of breast cancer, or who have not had children all are at higher risk for breast cancer, however.
Myth 2: Wearing antiperspirant or deodorant can cause breast cancer.
Some rumors say that underarm deodorants and antiperspirants, especially those containing aluminum and other chemicals, are absorbed into the lymph nodes and make their way into breast cells, increasing cancer risk. Shaving the underarms is said to make this worse by creating tiny nicks that allow more of the chemicals to enter the body. Some think that antiperspirants, by stopping underarm sweating, can prevent
the release of toxic substances from the underarm lymph nodes, also increasing cancer risk. There is no evidence of a link between antiperspirant use and breast cancer. Some studies have found that women who use aluminum products under their arms are more likely to have higher concentrations of aluminum in breast tissue.
Myth 3: Carrying your cell phone in your bra can cause breast cancer.
There is no evidence of a connection between cell phones and breast cancer, but the safety of cell phones is still being studied. The research isn’t there to support this claim but cell phone manufacturers often do recommend keeping your device away from your body as much as possible.
Myth 4: Consuming too much sugar causes breast cancer.
There is no evidence that sugar in the diet causes breast cancer. There’s a common myth that sugar can feed the cancer and speed up its growth. All cells, whether cancerous or healthy, use the sugar in the
At Broward Health, we are dedicated to the fight against cancer. Learn about our comprehensive oncology services:
blood (called glucose) as fuel. While it’s true that cancer cells consume sugar more quickly than normal cells, there isn’t any evidence that excessive sugar consumption causes cancer. Eating too much sugar can lead to weight gain and being overweight is an established risk factor for breast cancer. In addition, some studies have linked diabetes with a higher risk of breast cancer — especially more aggressive, later-stage cancers.
Myth 5: All breast cancer is treated pretty much the same way.
Treatment plans vary widely depending on the characteristics of the cancer and patient preferences. Many people have a vague idea that breast cancer requires some combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and maybe chemotherapy, but they don't know much beyond that. Each person’s treatment plan is tailored to his or her needs.
▸
Dr. Alia Abdulla, DO, FACS, FSSO is a Board Certified General Surgeon specializing in Breast Surgical Oncology and Complex General Surgical Oncology at Broward Health.
- Pamela breast cancer survivor
BrowardHealth.org/BeatCancer
I beat cancer with
BROWARD HEALTH
M6614_BHC_Cancer_Pam_OurCity_8.5x5.indd 1
BrowardHealth.org
Our City Weston / October 2021 / OurCityMedia.com / 27 9/10/21 11:11 AM
