Breast Cancer Facts and Myths

Only a small percentage of breast lumps turn out to be cancer. But if you discover a persistent lump in your breast that is new or notice any changes in breast tissue, it should never be ignored.

It is very important that you see a physician for a clinical breast exam. He or she may possibly order breast imaging studies to determine if this lump is of concern or not. 

Take charge of your health by performing routine breast self-exams, establishing ongoing communication with your doctor, getting an annual clinical breast exam, and scheduling your routine screening  mammograms.

Quite the contrary, this year it is estimated that approximately 2,800 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 530 will die. While this percentage is still small, men should also check themselves periodically by doing a breast self-exam while in the shower and reporting any changes to their physicians. 

Breast cancer in men is usually detected as a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola. Men carry a higher mortality than women do, by 25%, primarily because awareness among men is less and they are less likely to assume a lump is breast cancer, which can cause a delay in seeking treatment.

A mammogram, or x-ray of the breast, currently remains the gold standard for the early detection of breast cancer. Breast compression while getting a mammogram cannot cause cancer nor does it spread it. In fact, tighter compression during a mammogram leads to clearer images that are easier for the radiologist to read.

According to the National Cancer Institute, “The benefits of mammography, however, nearly always outweigh the potential harm from the radiation exposure. Mammograms require very small doses of radiation. The risk of harm from this radiation exposure is extremely low.”

The standard recommendation is an annual mammographic screening for women beginning at age 40. Base your decision on your physician’s recommendation and be sure to discuss any remaining questions or concerns you may have with your physician.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation provides free mammograms through our partner facilities via our National Mammography Program. Search for a partner facility and schedule a free mammogram today.

While women who have a family history of breast cancer are in a higher risk group, most women who have breast cancer have no family history. Statistically only about 10% of individuals diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of this disease.  

• If you have a first degree relative with breast cancer: If you have a mother, daughter, or sister who developed breast cancer below the age of 50, you should consider some form of breast imaging starting 10 years before the age of your relative’s diagnosis. 
• If you have a second degree relative with breast cancer: If you have had a grandmother or aunt who was diagnosed with breast cancer, your risk increases slightly, but it is not in the same risk category as those who have a first degree relative with breast cancer. 
• If you have multiple generations diagnosed with breast cancer on the same side of the family, or if there are several individuals who are first degree relatives to one another, or several family members diagnosed under age 50, the probability increases that there is a breast cancer gene contributing to the cause of this familial history.

If this is your case, doctors recommend getting tested for breast cancer gene mutations such as the BRCA gene. 

According to the National Cancer Institute, regarding families who are known to carry BRCA1 or BRCA2, “not every woman in such families carries a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, and not every cancer in such families is linked to a harmful mutation in one of these genes.

Furthermore, not every woman who has a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation will develop breast and/or ovarian cancer. But, a woman who has inherited a harmful mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 is about five times more likely to develop breast cancer than a woman who does not have such a mutation.”

For people who discover they have the harmful mutation, there are various proactive measures that can be done to reduce risk. These include taking a hormonal therapy called Tamoxifen or deciding to take a surgical prevention approach which is to have bilateral prophylactic mastectomies, usually done with reconstruction.

Most women will also have ovaries and fallopian tubes removed as well since there is no reliable screening test for the early stages of developing ovarian cancer.

Injuries to the breast do not cause cancer.

Injuries caused by car accidents or a blow to the body, for instance, can lead to pain, bruising, or bleeding, which may result in a build-up of blood in the breast known as a hematoma. Additionally, fat necrosis, or scarring of the breast tissue, can occur following an injury, surgery, or biopsy. Generally, these injuries will heal on their own with time; if you are having a mammogram performed following an injury, however, this may entail additional imaging.

Occasionally, a breast cancer diagnosis may follow an injury, simply because the injury drew attention to a lump that had formed previously. However, the injury did not cause the cancer—the cancer was already there. If you know you have scar tissue from a previous injury or have recently suffered a breast injury, let your doctor know prior to your next mammogram.

It is also a good idea to talk with your doctor if you are experiencing breast pain, a recent injury, swelling, change in the skin on or around your breast, or anything that is out of the ordinary for you.

There is no connection between breast size and cancer risk, although it can sometimes be more challenging to examine larger breasts. Obesity and breast density, on the other hand, can both increase the risk of breast cancer. In addition, family history and lifestyle factors can also influence the odds of getting breast cancer.

Women with larger breasts are more likely to report back pain, but this is not a risk factor for breast cancer.

No matter what your breast size, it is important to conduct regular screenings, check-ups, and mammograms. Maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular exercise can also support overall health while reducing the risk factors for breast cancer.

While most cases of breast cancer do occur in middle-aged or older women, a breast cancer diagnosis can happen at any age or any time.

About 9 percent of new breast cancer cases in the United States are found in women under age 45 and these cases are more likely to be found at a later stage, according to the CDC.

Overall, women in the United States have a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. However, the risk of developing breast cancer does increase with age. It is important to understand risk factors for breast cancer, early signs and symptoms, as well as to make and keep regular mammogram and doctor’s appointments.

In addition, women who have a mother, daughter, or sister (a first-degree relative) with breast cancer should begin screening 10 years before the age of diagnosis for that relative. For example, if your mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 43, you should start receiving annual mammograms at age 33. Regardless of your age or risk factors, it is always smart to focus on breast health and regular screenings.

Interestingly, breast pain is usually not a sign of breast cancer. In fact, one surgeon estimates that only about 1 percent of women will be diagnosed with cancer after feeling pain in their breast. On the flip side, some women who have already been diagnosed with breast cancer will report some breast pain.

The most common symptom of breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, is a new breast lump, though most lumps themselves are not cancerous or painful. Other potential breast cancer symptoms can include swelling, changes in the nipple or skin, discharge, swollen lymph nodes, and, occasionally, breast or nipple pain. It is also important to remember that many of these symptoms can also be signs of benign (non-cancerous) issues. Likewise, breast pain can result from anything from an unsupportive bra to hormones, from an injury to water retention.

If you are experiencing recurring breast pain, however, talk with your doctor about potential causes and solutions.

There are many different types of breast cancer—which are determined by the specific cells in the breast that become cancer—and each type has different features and considerations. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), for instance, is a non-invasive cancer where abnormal cells are found in the lining of the breast milk duct where the atypical cells have not spread, making it very treatable. Metastatic breast cancer, or Stage 4, means that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. There is also male breast cancer, breast cancer during pregnancy, and several other types. You can learn more about the various types of breast cancer here.

Depending on the type of cancer and your individual circumstances, treatment, side effects, and prognosis will vary. While breast cancer might seem like a one-size-fits-all diagnosis on the outside, every type of cancer is different, which is why it is essential to learn as much as you can if breast cancer affects you or someone you love.