Is it true that..?

There are many myths, stories and wives’ tales about what causes breast cancer, what increases your risk of getting it, and what reduces your chances of survival. These are some of the most common ones, but if you have any concerns or worries, do not hesitate to contact your GP.

Is breast cancer caused by stress, deodorant and underwired bras?

To date, there is no hard evidence to prove or disprove that breast cancer is caused by stress, deodorants, tight-fitting or underwired bras. There is also no evidence that bruising your breast tissue will increase your risk.

Does living near electricity pylons increases your risk of getting breast cancer?

There is no evidence linking electricity pylons to breast cancer.

I thought only older women got breast cancer?

Although it is relatively uncommon for younger people to develop breast cancer, with 80% of breast cancer cases occurring in women over 50, there are still 8,000 women under the age of 50 who develop breast cancer each year in the UK.

If I get pain in my breasts, does it mean I have breast cancer?

Breast pain (or mastalgia) is quite common: about two thirds of pre-menopausal women will experience some degree of breast pain during their lives. Breast pain may be cyclical (related to the menstrual cycle) or non-cyclical and does not mean breast cancer is present. 
 
Does pregnancy increase the risk of breast cancer?

Pregnancy does not increase the risk of breast cancer. In fact, the more children a woman has, the lower her risk of getting breast cancer. Having children at a young age also reduces the risk.

Breast cancer doesn't run in my family, so I won't get it

Every woman has some risk of breast cancer. About 80% of women who get breast cancer have no known family history of the disease. Increasing age is the biggest single risk factor for breast cancer. For those women who do have a family history of breast cancer, your risk may be elevated a little, a lot, or not at all. If you are concerned, discuss your family history with your doctor or a genetic counsellor.

Only my mother's family history of breast cancer will affect my risk of getting breast cancer

No. A history of breast cancer in your mother's OR your father's family will influence your risk equally. That's because half of your genes come from your mother, half from your father. But a man with a breast cancer gene abnormality is less likely to develop breast cancer than a woman with a similar gene. So, if you want to learn more about your father's family history, you have to look mainly at the women on your father's side, not just the men.

If I am diagnosed with breast cancer, I am going to die

No. 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no signs of the cancer spreading beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes. Of the 20% that do, 80% live at least five years, and many live much longer. More and more women are surviving breast cancer and promising treatment breakthroughs are frequently becoming available.

Eating high-fat foods causes breast cancer

No. Several large studies have not been able to demonstrate a clear connection between eating high-fat foods and a higher risk of breast cancer. Ongoing studies are attempting to clarify this issue further. We can say that avoidance of high-fat foods is a healthy choice for other reasons: to lower the "bad" cholesterol, increase the "good" cholesterol; to make more room in your diet for healthier foods, and to help you control your weight.

Excess body weight IS a risk factor for breast cancer, because the extra fat increases the production of estrogen outside the ovaries and adds to the overall level of oestrogen in the body. If you are already overweight, or have a tendency to gain weight easily, avoiding high-fat foods is a good idea.