Myths and facts about breast cancer | What you need to know

One in eight women worldwide is diagnosed with breast cancer

Through scientific research and awareness campaigns, more and more knowledge is being accumulated about the biological and other characteristics of breast cancer, and people are becoming better acquainted with the nature of this disease.

However, despite the fact that there are still many myths and misconceptions about breast cancer,

The most common myths:

Myth 1: Most women diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of the disease or a genetic mutation for breast cancer.

ფაქტი: Only 10-15% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have mutations in the genes that cause the disease BRCA1, BRCA2 and PALB2. Of course, some mutations in these genes do increase the risk of developing breast cancer, but most of these mutations are not inherited.

Myth 2: Breast cancer only develops in women

Fact: Although breast cancer occurs predominantly in women, there are cases diagnosed in men as well.

Myth 3: Breast cancer develops in older women

Fact: The risk of breast cancer certainly increases with age, so the number of women diagnosed with it increases.  Most cases occur in women over the age of 50, although recent trends suggest that breast cancer incidence is increasing by 1-2% per year in women under the age of 50. This trend is particularly concerning because the disease tends to be more aggressive in younger women and the prognosis is less certain.

Myth 4: Breast cancer risk cannot be reduced

Fact: Despite the lack of complete prevention, there are preventive steps that can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer:

• Knowledge and consideration of family history of breast cancer and other cancers
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle: healthy diet, physical activity
• Regular screening, especially from age 40

Myth 5: Mammography is an insufficient test

Fact: Diagnostic and screening mammography can detect breast cancer at an early stage, which is an effective way to save lives. With early detection of the disease, a 100% cure rate is possible.

Myth 6: Breast cancer develops the same way in everyone

ფაქტი: Breast cancer is individual in every person – resulting from different gene mutations, with different growth-promoting factors, different treatment needs, different responses to treatment, etc. The essence of personalized cancer treatment is to achieve better results with an individual approach.

Myth 7: Breast cancer is always curable

ფაქტი: Treatment of the disease is especially effective in the early stages. When metastatic tumors develop, the process spreads to multiple organs and lymph nodes, which makes it difficult to detect new foci and cure them. Therefore, the earlier, the better!

Myth 8: Breast cancer always looks like a lump

ფაქტი: A lump that is felt in the breast is a typical manifestation of breast cancer, however, there are other manifestations that may precede the formation of a lump: breast swelling, skin dimpling, nipple deformation, red rash on the breast, etc. Often, breast cancer is diagnosed during screening tests – long before symptoms develop.

Myth 9: Wearing a tight bra and/or using antiperspirants increases the risk of breast cancer.

ფაქტი: These ideas have been scientifically refuted.

Myth 10: Carbohydrate intake accelerates the progression of breast cancer

ფაქტი: There is no scientifically proven data that removing sugar from the diet slows down the progression of cancer. However, a diet rich in simple carbohydrates leads to the development of insulin resistance, fat accumulation, inflammatory reactions, and worsens the general condition of the body.

Myth 11: Cancer can be cured with herbal remedies

ფაქტი: Cancer is not treated with herbal remedies. Although some herbal remedies may be used as an adjunct treatment, there is a high probability that the toxic effects of herbal remedies will occur during chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which can worsen the patient's general condition. Accordingly, the use of herbal remedies, especially "home remedies", for the treatment of cancer is strictly not recommended.

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Source:

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/myths

https://www.bcrf.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-myths-debunked/

n.manjaparashvili@synevo.ge