Breast cancer Awareness Month is here

Breast Cancer awareness month comes with the dawning of October. Taking the time to reflect and further the search for a way to spare others from the ravages of the disease is what the occasion is all about. Knowing the breast cancer facts and breast cancer myths can be invaluable.

Breast cancer Awareness Month details

According to American Cancer Society estimates, in 2009 there were 192,370 brand new cases of invasive cancer of the breast and 62,280 early-stage breast cancer diagnosed in women. Over 40,000 of those were considered to be life threatening. Also, 2,000 men were diagnosed with cancer of the breast last year. Of those, about 440 were forecasted to die.

Common cancer of the breast misconceptions

• Underwire bras promote breast cancer growth

The false belief here is that by constricting breast tissue, underwire bras trigger cancer-causing toxins to build up. Dr. Deborah Axelrod explains to Columbia Broadcasting System that this isn’t actually true.

• Breast cancer could be caused by something else. This is deodorant

Dr. Schnabel explains that this also is not true. There have not even been studies that link cancer of the breast with antiperspirant and cancer.

• Plastic water bottles cause breast cancer

There is a debate on whether or not a cancer-causing dioxin is leaked into the water by sitting in plastic water bottles, although there isn’t a consensus. There isn’t a connection between BPA (bisphenol) and cancer of the breast although some believe that it leaks to the water from the plastic also.

• Cancer of the breast can come from tests. Mammograms to be specific

Dr. Schnabel tells CBS News the amount of radiation (.1 to .2 rads per picture) released in a mammogram is equal to or less than what a woman’s breasts are exposed to naturally over a three-month period.

• Lumpy breasts always mean greater risk

A woman won’t be getting cancer of the breast because of lumpy breasts although it can be more difficult to detect with lumpy breasts. A doctor should investigate if you discover new breast lumps, reports Dr. Axelrod, as it could mean cancer.

• No history of breast cancer makes you safe

80 percent of breast cancer is sporadic, although it can trace via a family also.

Citations

American Cancer Society

cancer.org/Research/CancerFactsFigures/BreastCancerFactsFigures/index

CBS News

cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20018296-10391704.html