Next time if someone tells you these stories… just tell them “That’s so outdated” because the doctor has confirmed that the things they say… are not true at all!!!!
1. They say breast cancer is a genetic disease
Truth: Genetics only increase the risk!! If you have a mother, aunt, grandmother who had breast cancer before, you might have a higher chance than others “but it does not confirm that you will definitely get it 100%”
2. They say the bigger the cup size, the higher the risk
Truth: “Big or small cup sizes have the same risk of breast cancer” Having a big cup size does not mean you have more area for cancer to develop than others. Most breast cancers occur around the milk ducts and milk glands, which all women have equally!!
3. They say if you feel a lump, it’s definitely cancer
Truth: Ladies, if you feel a lump in your breast, don’t panic “most lumps you find are just cysts” or just normal tissue. To know if it’s cancer or not, you have to wait for lab test results and also observe other symptoms, such as whether there is lymph or blood discharge from the nipple.
4. They say mammograms prevent cancer
Truth: Even if you have regular mammograms, it “does not mean you won’t get breast cancer” but mammograms are an examination you should not neglect because the earlier it is detected… the higher the chance of successful treatment.
5. They say mammograms cause cancer
Truth: This is a “big misunderstanding” If mammograms caused cancer, would doctors worldwide recommend you to do it? As for the radiation concern… the amount that passes into the body is very minimal!!!
6. They say taking a lot of birth control pills increases breast cancer risk
Truth: No doctor, researcher, or expert has ever spoken about this, so it can be said… “it’s just a belief people made up”
7. They say roll-on deodorants clearly cause cancer
Truth: I don’t know who “they” are? Why do they claim that roll-ons cause no sweat under the arms, so the body can’t expel toxins? Scholars just say… they have a very vivid imagination because there is no basis for this!!
8. They say not wearing a bra prevents cancer
Truth: Even if you wear the wrong bra size so tight… it doesn’t press the milk glands to cause cancer!! Wearing a bra might be uncomfortable sometimes but has many benefits. But if you don’t wear a bra, beware of premature sagging breasts. Don’t say you weren’t warned.
9. They say don’t drink water from plastic bottles left in a hot car
Truth: Someone came up with the idea that heat melts plastic and chemicals leak into the water causing breast cancer, but in reality “the heat from sunlight is not that intense” and if plastic really melted… it wouldn’t keep its shape, right??
Dr. Komol Preechasananok
Breast Surgeon
Breast Care Center, Phyathai 2 Hospital
