The more you know about breast cancer, the better your chances of detecting and treating it early if you do develop it!

With this point in mind, it is a good idea to address some of the many misconceptions which people often have about breast cancer.  These misconceptions often result in unnecessary deaths;  or, at the very least, allowing this disease to progress to a stage where treatment is much more difficult than would be the case if it had been detected at an earlier stage.

One of the most common misconceptions about breast cancer is that it is a disease primarily developed by older women, and that one need not be concerned about breast cancer if one is not female and over forty.  Many people even believe that “over fifty” is more accurate!

The fact is that anyone can develop breast cancer.  While women in older age groups are indeed more prone to it, it can afflict young women, teenagers, and men.  No one is “immune” to developing breast cancer, regardless of age or gender.

A misconception which leads many to delay or even refuse to have mammograms and even conduct breast self-exams is that breast cancer is a “death-sentence.” 

We have already reviewed how advances in medicine and knowledge about early detection have nearly eliminated the need for this fear.  Although breast cancer is, of course, a very serious condition, finding it early gives one the opportunity for appropriate treatment which can save her life — usually without negative repercussions to her long term health.  A breast cancer survivor today can usually expect to live as long, and as healthfully, as if she had not developed the disease.

Many women express great apprehension over the medical aspects of this subject.  They may refuse to have mammograms on a regular basis, or refuse to have an unusual lump checked by their doctor, fearing that these procedures will be very difficult and painful. 

The fact is that while mammograms and even needle-biopsies and aspirations are uncomfortable, when they are performed by a qualified healthcare professional they do not cause any significant degree of pain. 

As with any type of serious and potentially life-threatening condition, breast cancer does carry risk factors.  Unfortunately, many people take this to mean that if they are not in one or more specific risk categories, that they cannot and will not develop this disease.  This misconception often leads many to forego exams which could save their lives.

The fact is that even though there are some factors which do increase one's risk of developing breast cancer, the absence of any or all of these factors is not a guarantee that you will not develop it.  All the risk factors really mean is that your chances of developing breast cancer are increased — their absence does not mean that you are not at risk.

In addition to the fear of one's life being cut short, many also fear that a diagnosis of breast cancer will mean that their breasts will automatically be removed, and that they will be up against a great deal of suffering with chemotherapy. 

With today's advances in treatment, these fears are rarely valid.  In most cases, treatment for breast cancer does not have to include having a mastectomy, and chemotherapy is often unnecessary.  Women today do not have to worry that a diagnosis will automatically mean losing their breasts, or being physically ill for an extended period of time, or losing their hair.

Today's emphasis on breast self-examination has led many to the misconception that mammograms are really not necessary.  Those who perform these exams on a regular basis are especially prone to the notion that they do not need to have mammograms.

The fact is that mammograms are still a very important part of early detection!  A mammogram can “find” tumors and other changes within the breast long before these changes can be detected by a self-exam.  While breast self-exams are very helpful in early detection, they are not a substitute for having mammograms on a regular basis.

Many women these days do not seek necessary and appropriate medical testing due to financial concerns.  Although this is especially true for lower-income women, others are often in a similar position.  The worry about medical bills leads many to not visit a doctor, even if they have found unusual changes.

In most cases, this concern is unfounded.  Women who have any type of health insurance will usually find that the procedures connected to breast cancer testing, diagnosis, and treatment are covered in their health insurance plans.  For those who do not have such coverage, government forms of medical assistance is available.  In many locations, there are also clinics where women can have mammograms and any necessary procedures done, free of any cost to them.

It may sound odd, but the frequent misconception that any lump or change means breast cancer leads many women to not have such changes checked by a doctor even if they find them.  The fears surrounding the subject of breast cancer often results in the cancer spreading before it can be diagnosed and appropriately treated.

The fact is that most lumps and changes are not cancerous, and not a sign of cancer.  The sad irony about this, though, this that the misconception results in many unnecessary deaths which could have been prevented by simple, basic treatment, and in many other cases necessitates the most forms of treatment which would not have been needed had the person not waited so long.

Along with the misconception that a person will probably not survive breast cancer is the misconception regarding the often-used term “five-year survival rate.” 

Although in the past it was rare for a person to survive that long at all, the way this term is generally used in the present-day is to mean that if the person's treatment has been successful, and, as such, she has been free of the cancer for five years, she is then expected to have a normal lifespan ahead of her.  While cancer of any type can reoccur, being free of the disease for this long is taken to mean that she is essentially cured.

As you can see, there are many misconceptions about breast cancer.  Some of these misconceptions stem from the dim prognosis those who had the disease in the past usually faced.  Others are based on lack of correct information and hearsay, which have no basis in fact.

The main problem with misconceptions is that they often lead people to be much more fearful than they need be; and this can result in not taking the proper steps to ensure one's best chances of beating breast cancer if one does develop it.

When you are armed with the facts, you are the most likely to act upon the facts rather than on misconceptions.  In turn, this is your best defense against breast cancer!

How to do a Breast Self-Examination

Fingers flat, move gently over every part of each breast. Use your right hand to examine left breast, left hand for right breast. Check for any lump, hard knot or thickening. Carefully observe any changes in your breasts.

Inspect your breasts with arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead.

Look for any changes in contour of each breast, a swelling, a dimpling of skin or changes in the nipple. Then rest palm on hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match - few women’s breasts do.

Place pillow under right shoulder, right arm behind your head. With fingers of left hand flat, press right breast gently in small circular motions, moving vertically or in a circular pattern covering the entire breast. Use light, medium and firm pressure. Squeeze nipple; check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.