Editorial

Myths — and truths — about breast cancer

Posted

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and there’s no better time to gauge your awareness. Are the following statements true or false?

1) I’m too young to get breast cancer. 2) If I have a lump in my breast, it’s breast cancer. 3) I can’t get breast cancer, since it’s not in my family. 4) I’m a man — men don’t get breast cancer! 5) A diagnosis of breast cancer is a death sentence.

The answer to all five of these is false.

Although the risk of developing breast cancer does increase with age, women — and men — of all ages are at risk of developing the disease. The majority of lumps are not cancerous, but it’s important that you talk to your doctor about any changes in your breasts. And although family history does play a role, most cases are diagnosed in women with no such history. Men can get breast cancer, although the chances are just 1 in 1,000.

And, most important, with proper diagnosis and care, breast cancer does not have to be a death sentence.

Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the U.S. But thanks to early detection and advancements in treatment, millions of women are surviving it. About 1 in every 8 American women — 12 percent — will develop invasive breast cancer. The chance that it will be responsible for a woman’s death is about 1 in 36. Death rates have been on the decline since the late 1980s, especially among women younger than 50.

There are now more than 2.8 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. That includes women still being treated and those who have completed treatment.

Risks and prevention

Age is the No. 1 risk factor. Older women are much more likely to contract the disease. About 80 percent of cases occur in women 50 and older. About 5 percent occur in women under age 40, and experts recommend that women begin undergoing annual mammography at age 40.

There are ways, however, to decrease your risk of getting the disease. Several studies indicate that women who exercise moderately to vigorously three to four hours per week may reduce their risk level. Other research suggests that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and grains may have a similar effect, while a diet that is high in fat increases the risk by triggering the hormone estrogen, which fuels tumor growth.

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