%20(1).png)
Can you get breast cancer without a family history? Is a lump the only warning sign? For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re clearing up five common myths about risk, symptoms, and screening. Learn the facts—and when to reach out to your medical team.
%20(6).png)
Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Sarkar
With so much information about breast cancer online, it can be difficult to separate fact from misconception. For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re taking a closer look at five common myths and what you should know about your risk, symptoms, and screening.
Fact: Most women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease. While family history can increase your risk, having no family history does not mean you are protected.
Having a family history also does not necessarily mean you carry an inherited genetic mutation. Both are important to discuss with your physician, who can help you understand how they may affect your screening recommendations.
Share cancer history from both sides of your family with your medical team, including which relatives were diagnosed and their ages at diagnosis.
Fact: Breast cancer is more common as women get older, but younger women can develop it, too. Approximately 11% of breast cancers in the United States occur in women younger than 45.
At any age, be familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel, and report new or unusual changes to your medical provider. You do not need to follow a formal monthly self-exam routine to practice breast awareness, and checking your breasts does not replace recommended screening.
Although much less common, men can also develop breast cancer because they have breast tissue. Any new lump, nipple change, discharge, or other change in the breast or chest area should be evaluated.
Fact: A lump is a common symptom, but it is not the only one. Early breast cancer may cause no noticeable symptoms at all.
Other possible signs include:
Most breast lumps are not cancer, and many of these changes can have noncancerous causes. However, any new lump or unusual change should be checked by a medical professional. A lump does not have to be hard or painless to warrant evaluation.
Stay up to date with the screening recommended for your age and individual risk. Routine screening mammograms are generally not recommended for men, but breast symptoms in men still require prompt evaluation.
If you notice a new change, contact your provider rather than waiting for your next screening—even if your most recent mammogram was normal.
Fact: There is no scientific evidence that wearing a bra, including an underwire bra, increases breast cancer risk.
You may have heard claims that bras restrict lymph flow or cause toxins to build up in breast tissue. Research does not support these claims.
Current evidence also does not establish that antiperspirants or deodorants cause breast cancer. Choosing aluminum-free, organic, or “natural” products has not been shown to reduce breast cancer risk. You can choose products based on your preferences and skin sensitivity, but these labels should not be mistaken for cancer-prevention benefits.
Fact: Being called back for additional testing after a mammogram does not automatically mean you have breast cancer.
Sometimes, additional images are needed because an area is unclear or looks different from a previous mammogram. Other findings may be related to noncancerous breast changes.
Your provider may recommend additional mammogram images, an ultrasound, or—in some cases—a biopsy to better understand the finding.
While a callback can feel unsettling, it is important to complete the recommended follow-up. Your Connected Health medical team can help you understand the next steps and coordinate any additional testing.
Understanding the facts can help you recognize changes and make informed decisions about screening.
At Connected Health, our concierge primary care physicians take the time to review your personal and family history, discuss your concerns, and help coordinate the screening that is appropriate for you.
Not sure whether you’re due for a mammogram, or have a change you’d like checked? Message your Connected Health medical team through Spruce.
