Carlene Springer, APRN
Morrison Cancer Center
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women in the United States. It is the second-leading cause of death from cancer in women (only lung cancer kills more women each year). Breast cancer accounts for about 30 percent of all new cancer cases in women. One in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer doesn’t always come in the form of a lump. While your healthcare provider should be notified if you discover a lump in either of your breasts or axilla (arm pits), it’s important to also notify your healthcare provider if:
- You have swelling in or around your breast, collarbone or arm pit
- Redness or thickened skin in or around your breast
- Breast warmth/itching
- Nipple changes or discharge
- Breast pain which lasts longer than three to four weeks
If you have a male relative who has had breast cancer, you may be more likely to get breast cancer, especially if he is a close family member such as a father, son or brother. However, only about 1 percent of breast cancers occur in men.
You can reduce your risk of getting breast cancer by maintaining a healthy weight, especially after menopause.
- Stay active, try and get at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week.
- Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans
Drinking several glasses of alcohol per day can increase your breast cancer risk. A glass of wine now and then is not bad for your health, but drinking several drinks per day can increase your risk.
Breast cancer myths
I won’t get breast cancer if I don’t have a family history.
- FACT: Most breast cancer diagnoses have no known family history.
- FACT: Only about 5-10 percent of breast cancers are hereditary.
If you exercise regularly, eat healthy, limit alcohol and maintain a healthy weight you don’t have to worry about breast cancer.
- FACT: While these behaviors help lower the risk of breast cancer, they cannot eliminate it.
- FACT: No one is 100 percent safe from getting breast cancer.
Wearing a bra and using underarm antiperspirant can cause breast cancer.
- FACT: There is NO evidence that bras or the use of antiperspirants cause breast cancer. While occasional media coverage fuels these myths, there is no scientific evidence supporting this.
Consuming too much sugar causes breast cancer
- FACT: While it is true that cancer cells consume sugar more quickly than normal cells, there is no evidence that excessive sugar consumption causes cancer. It is important to remember that too much sugar can cause an increase in weight and being overweight does increase your risk for breast cancer.
All breast cancer is treated the same way.
- FACT: Treatment plans are based on the characteristics of the cancer and patient preferences. There are several types of breast cancer. Each are treated differently.
Only middle-aged and older women get breast cancer.
- Being female and growing older are the main risk factors for developing breast cancer. However, about 4 percent of breast cancers are diagnosed in women under 40. That’s one in 25 women.
Helpful tips:
- Pay attention to your breasts.
- Perform breast self-exams.
- report any changes to your healthcare provider.
- If there are concerning symptoms, insist that breast cancer be ruled out.
