When it comes to breast cancer, you can never be too safe. Having mammograms, doing breast self-exams and watching for warning signs can help detect cancer in its earliest stages and allow for timely treatment.
Increased awareness and candidness about breast health are good things, but they have also fueled some common misconceptions. Knowing the truth about breast cancer can help you better understand your own breast health, including when to talk to a healthcare provider.
Common myths about breast cancer
Does breast cancer always cause pain? Are all lumps always cancerous? Are mammograms actually safe? Oncologist Halle Moore, MD, sets us straight on some of the most common myths about this disease.
Myth #1: A lump in your breast is probably cancer
It can be scary to discover a new lump in your breast. But try to take a breath before jumping to any conclusions. Breast lumps are actually very common, and most of them are benign, meaning they’re not cancerous.
Just how common? Research shows that up to 50% of women between the ages of 20 and 50 experience breast tissue changes that cause noncancerous lumps, like cysts and fibroadenomas. These lumps are often related to changing hormone levels — and sometimes, they don’t even require treatment.
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