OCTOBER 2020 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 33
PRESS HEALTH
BREAST CANCER
DEBUNKING COMMON MYTHS
Cancer claims the lives of millions of
people across the globe every year. But
the fight against cancer is anything but
hopeless. The World Health Organization
notes that between 30 and 50 percent
of all cancer cases are preventable.
Learning about cancer is one of the best
ways for people to protect themselves
from this deadly disease. Researchers
continue to learn more about cancer
every day and routinely discover that
information once thought to be accurate
was actually off base.
Despite researchers’ best efforts, some
myths about cancer still prevail. Some
of these myths are about cancer in
general, while others refer to specific
cancers, including female and male
breast cancer. Myths about breast
cancer may be as harmful as accurate
information is helpful, so learning
the truth and debunking those myths
can be an important part of women’s
preventive approach to breast cancer.
Myth: Drinking milk increases your
risk for breast cancer. The American
Cancer Society notes that early studies
raised concerns that drinking milk
from cows treated with hormones
could increase a person’s risk for breast
cancer. However, ensuing research
failed to find a clear link between the
two. In fact, a 2020 study published in
the International Journal of Epidemiology
found no significant association
between dairy fluid intake and breast
cancer risk.
Myth: Lumps indicate breast cancer.
The National Breast Cancer Foundation,
Inc. says that only a small percentage
of breast lumps turn out to be cancer.
However, abnormalities or changes in
breast tissue should always be brought
to the attention of a physician.
Myth: Mammograms cause breast
cancer to spread. This myth is rooted
in the incorrect notion that breast compression
while getting a mammogram
causes the cancer to spread. However,
the NBCF insists that this cannot
happen. In fact, the National Cancer
Institute touts the benefits of mammograms
while the American Cancer
Society recommends women between
the ages of 45 and 54 get mammograms
every year. For additional breast cancer
screening guidelines, visit the ACS at
www.cancer.org.
Myth: Women with a family history of
breast cancer are likely to develop breast
cancer, too. This myth is dangerous because,
if taken at face value, it can give
women with no family history of breast
cancer a false sense of security. However,
the NBCF notes that only about 10
percent of individuals diagnosed with
breast cancer have a family history of the
disease. The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention notes that a woman’s risk
for breast cancer is higher if she has a
first-degree relative, including a mother,
sister, daughter, or even a male family
member, who have had the disease. But
breast cancer can affect anyone, regardless
of their family history.
Information is a valuable asset in the
fight against breast cancer. Learning
to decipher between accurate and false
information can be especially valuable.
-Metro Creative Connection
A woman undergoes a mammogram.
(Getty Images)
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