One in eight ladies within the U.S. shall be identified with breast most cancers in her lifetime — however regardless of its prevalence, there are nonetheless some widespread myths surrounding the illness, in response to consultants.
Dr. Megan Kalambo, affiliate professor on the Division of Breast Imaging at The College of Texas MD Anderson Most cancers Heart, shared with Fox Information Digital a number of the essential misconceptions she has seen amongst ladies.
Fantasy No. 1 – Folks with breast most cancers at all times discover a lump
Whereas a breast lump is the most typical symptom of breast most cancers, the absence of 1 doesn’t suggest breast most cancers is just not current, Kalambo warned.
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“Many ladies identified with breast most cancers by no means have any indicators or signs, which is why getting an annual screening mammogram is so essential,” she mentioned.
“Mammograms are sometimes in a position to detect early-stage breast most cancers earlier than any signs.”
One in each eight ladies within the U.S. shall be identified with breast most cancers in her lifetime — however regardless of its prevalence, there are nonetheless some widespread myths surrounding the illness, in response to consultants. (iStock)
There are a variety of further breast indicators and signs that ought to warn you to seek the advice of a health care provider for additional analysis, Kalambo mentioned.
The American Most cancers Society now not recommends a scientific breast examination or a breast self-exam as a screening technique for ladies within the U.S.
It’s essential to be looking out for any of the indicators beneath and to report them to your physician straight away, in response to the physician:
- Swelling in or round your breast, armpit or collarbone
- Pores and skin modifications equivalent to breast thickening, redness, scaling, itching or swelling (with or and not using a lump)
- Nipple modifications or discharge
- Breast ache lasting for greater than 4 to 6 weeks (much less widespread symptom)
Fantasy No 2 – You must discover ways to do a month-to-month self-exam
Analysis research have proven no clear good thing about month-to-month breast self-exams in detecting breast most cancers, particularly in ladies who’re additionally getting annual screening mammograms, in response to Kalambo.
The American Most cancers Society (ACS) now not recommends a scientific breast examination or a breast self-exam as a screening technique for ladies within the U.S., in response to its web site.
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“As an alternative, it’s extra essential to be acquainted with your breasts so you possibly can perceive the traditional feel and look,” Kalambo mentioned.
“For those who discover modifications, report them to your physician immediately. This works simply in addition to a proper breast self-exam.”
Fantasy No. 3 – Sporting a bra and utilizing underarm antiperspirant could cause breast most cancers
“There’s at the moment no scientific proof exhibiting a hyperlink between carrying, or not carrying, a bra and creating breast most cancers,” Kalambo mentioned.
Analysis research have proven no clear good thing about month-to-month breast self-exams in detecting breast most cancers, particularly in ladies who’re additionally getting annual screening mammograms, in response to a breast imaging professional. (iStock)
“Equally, there isn’t a scientific proof linking using antiperspirants or deodorants to the event of breast most cancers.”
Fantasy No. 4 – Life-style selections don’t impression breast most cancers danger
Whereas household historical past does affect breast most cancers danger, way of life components additionally come into play, the physician mentioned.
“These selections are known as modifiable danger components,” Kalambo mentioned.
“They embody private behaviors, equivalent to weight loss program and bodily exercise, that may impression your danger.”
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Sustaining a wholesome weight is without doubt one of the handiest methods to scale back breast most cancers danger, the physician mentioned.
“Being chubby or overweight — particularly after menopause — could elevate your most cancers danger,” she warned.
To maintain most cancers danger low, the physician recommends avoiding weight acquire by maintaining a healthy diet meals. (iStock)
To maintain most cancers danger low, the physician recommends avoiding weight acquire by maintaining a healthy diet meals — “a plant-based weight loss program wealthy in fruits, greens, complete grains and beans” — avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol consumption and getting at the least half-hour of bodily exercise every day.
Fantasy No. 5 – Breast most cancers solely occurs to older ladies
Whereas each the feminine gender and a girl’s age are thought of to be danger components for creating breast most cancers, males may develop the illness, Kalambo mentioned.
“About one in each 100 breast cancers identified in america is present in a person,” she famous.
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Males with a household historical past of breast most cancers or BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutations even have an elevated breast most cancers danger, the physician mentioned — and that is very true if it’s a detailed member of the family, like a father, brother or son.
Whereas each feminine gender and age are thought of to be danger components for creating breast most cancers, males may develop breast most cancers. (iStock)
“Since males don’t endure routine mammogram screening, the most typical symptom of male breast most cancers is a tough lump within the breast, typically situated across the nipple,” she informed Fox Information Digital.
“Simply as with ladies, males with breast signs could endure a mammogram and ultrasound for additional analysis.”
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She additionally informed Fox Information Digital, “It’s possible you’ll be extra prone to get breast most cancers you probably have a male family member who’s had the illness.”
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