We often mistakenly believe many false pieces of information about breast health and cancer that we hear from others or find online. The generally accepted misconceptions can mislead us, especially regarding the vital issue of breast health. Therefore, Hisar Hospital Breast Health Center provides information about breast cancer.
False: If there is no lump, there is no cancer.
True: Cancer can exist even without a palpable lump. Therefore, mammography plays a crucial role in the early detection of cancer.
False: If there is no family history of breast cancer, there is no risk of cancer.
True: 80% of women with breast cancer have no family history of the disease. This means that being a woman alone carries a risk of breast cancer.
False: Breast cancer does not occur in young women.
True: Although breast cancer is more common in women over 50, it can also occur in younger women.
False: Men do not get breast cancer.
True: While the ratio is low, with 1 man for every 100 women diagnosed with cancer, men can also develop breast cancer.
False: Mammography is a very painful procedure and can harm the breast.
True: You may feel discomfort during mammography due to pressure on the breast. However, this procedure does not harm the breast and is generally not painful and very quick. Mammography is performed after the menstrual period when the breasts are less sensitive.
False: Surgery under general anesthesia is necessary to determine if a lump in the breast is cancerous.
True: Most breast cancers can be diagnosed with a needle biopsy under local anesthesia without the need for surgical intervention. A needle biopsy is performed first for diagnosis.
False: Giving birth and breastfeeding protects against breast cancer.
True: Giving birth and breastfeeding does not protect against breast cancer; it only reduces the risk of developing it.
False: Every lump in the breast is cancerous.
True: Not every lump in the breast is cancer; there are benign tumors as well. However, if a lump is detected, one should consult a doctor immediately.
False: People undergoing breast cancer treatment should not get pregnant.
True: Women who have completed breast cancer treatment and show no signs of recurrence can become pregnant.
False: I check my breasts and feel no lumps, so I don’t need to see a doctor.
True: Some lumps may not be felt during a self-examination. Therefore, you should have regular check-ups appropriate for your age.
False: I have discharge from my breast; it could be cancer.
True: If the discharge from the nipple is bloody, it is suspicious and must be investigated.
False: Mammography causes cancer.
True: The radiation exposure from mammography is very low, so there is no risk of causing cancer.
False: It is harmful to have a mammogram at a young age.
True: There is no harm in having a mammogram. However, in women under 35, breast tissue is denser, which may not provide sufficient imaging.
False: A biopsy causes the lump in the breast to become cancerous.
True: A biopsy is the most reliable way to determine whether a lump is cancerous. The nature of the lump does not change with a biopsy.
False: In breast cancer surgeries, the entire breast is removed.
True: The type of surgery is determined based on the stage of the disease, the type of cancer, and the patient’s characteristics. Nowadays, breast-conserving surgeries are preferred whenever possible.
False: If the entire breast is removed in breast cancer surgeries, cancer will not recur.
True: When breast cancer is detected early, the recurrence rate is very low. There is always a possibility of cancer recurring or appearing elsewhere.
False: Stress causes cancer.
True: Stress is an important factor in cancer. However, it does not initiate cancer on its own.
