This October, you'll likely see a flurry of pink products pushed by retailers to raise awareness for breast cancer. While I love a good pink hat or bracelet, understanding how breast cancer impacts the population is crucial to raising awareness — as is debunking breast cancer myths that spread misinformation. With the exception of skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society, and there is approximately a 1-in-8 chance that a woman will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. Knowing the truth about what causes breast cancer and how you might be affected could help you or someone you love.
The internet is a wonderful place, but you're likely to run into a few hiccups now and then in the form of false reports or people speaking from an uninformed place. When it comes to your breast health, you need to know the facts. Breast surgeons Dr. Jessica Young with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and Dr. Beth C. Freedman with CareMount Medical, leaders in the field of breast cancer, are two women here to help unmask some common breast cancer myths. Read on to see what they have to say about family history, what does and doesn't cause breast cancer, and more.
5
You Can't Get Breast Cancer If You're Pregnant
Pregnancy can be such a joyous and wonderful event, but unfortunately even this happy time can be marred by the presence of breast cancer in some women. "Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women who are pregnant and postpartum," Dr. Freedman says. "It occurs in 1/3,000 pregnancies."
While a 1-in-3,000 chance of developing breast cancer during pregnancy does seem like a long shot, it does happen. Young recommends that pregnant women notify their physicians of any breast changes in order to ensure that they are not indicative of breast cancer.
6
If I Don't Have A Family History, I Can't Get Breast Cancer
"Most women who get breast cancer have no family history of breast cancer, or any strong risk factors," Young says. Because approximately 1 out of 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society, it is important for all women to be informed of breast cancer risks, regardless of family history.
"Hereditary and genetically driven breast cancers only account for 5 to 10% of all breast cancers. A family history of breast cancer in one to two first degree relatives, or two or more second degree relatives, will dramatically increase a woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. However, 90% of women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a family history of breast cancer," Freedman says.
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Trauma To The Breast Causes Breast Cancer
"Trauma to the breast does not cause breast cancer," Young says. "However, sometimes when someone has trauma to the breast, they notice changes more, which may lead them to think that trauma caused the breast cancer."
Trauma to the breast could include injuries from accidents such as a seatbelt cutting into the breast during a car crash, the breast being hit while participating in a sport, or even being bit extra hard by your toddler while breastfeeding, but none of these events can lead to breast cancer. "There are cases when trauma to the breast makes a mass more visible and noticeable, which can result in the individual seeking attention from a medical professional," Freedman says.
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Breast Cancer Is Contagious
"Breast cancer is not contagious," Young tells Romper. "You cannot get breast cancer from hanging out, hugging, or touching a patient with breast cancer." In fact, hanging out with someone who has breast cancer will probably make their day better and there is no risk of spreading cancer from them to you.
"Breast cancer occurs in the breast cells and cannot be spread by contact with patients who have breast cancer or via respiratory pathways or body fluids," Dr. Freedman says. Simply put, it is a biological impossibility to "catch" breast cancer.
Experts:
Beth C. Freedman, M.D., CareMount Medical
Jessica Young, M.D., Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center