The superstitions and misunderstanding of the women , general population , health workers and even among professionals about normal breast and its aberrations are rife in the society. These are the very factors which attention and clarification via health education through appropriate media.
Common myths prevailing in society are
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Myth : Breasts are primarily sexual organs
What Science Says
- Breasts are modified sweat glands lying over the anterior chest wall on both sides.
- Loss or variation in size of the breast does not affect sexual performance or fertility.
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Myth : Fear that breasts may lose their shape and pleasure with breastfeeding
What Science Says
- Breastfeeding is best for both mother and infant.
- Human milk is nutritionally and immunologically superior and cannot be matched by any other feed.
- There is no loss of normal form and function of the breast after breastfeeding.
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Myth : Breast cancer is contagious
What Science Says
- Breast cancer is caused by alteration and excess division of cells within the breast and is not communicable like infections.
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Myth : Any extra sexual manipulations such as examination/investigation affect sexual interest
What Science Says
- None of the procedures like breast self-examination, clinical examination, mammography, FNAC, radiation, mastectomy, or reconstruction affect sexual function as breasts are not primary sex organs in females.
- All these measures help in early intervention and possible cure with a promise of long life.
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Myth : Only women with family history of breast cancer are at risk
What Science Says
- In over 80% of breast cancer cases, there are no identifiable risk factors — they are sporadic.
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Myth : Patient has done some sin by which she got breast cancer
What Science Says
- Breast cancer can affect anyone depending on environmental and genetic factors. It is not related to personal character or social behavior.
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Myth : Breast pain is due to breast cancer
What Science Says
- In 90% of cases, breast cancer is painless and breast pain usually indicates benign disease.
- Most breast pain is due to hormonal changes before menopause.
- After menopause, it is due to musculoskeletal disease.
- If pain occurs in breast cancer, it appears only very late in the course.
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Myth : Nipple discharge is due to breast cancer
What Science Says
- In 90% of cases, nipple discharge is due to benign breast disease and not cancer.
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Myth : Women with large breasts are only at risk
What Science Says
- Large or small, the size of the breast does not determine the risk of getting breast cancer. It depends more on internal activity and external factors.
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Myth : Breastfeeding causes breast cancer
What Science Says
- Breastfeeding helps in fertility control by delaying menses and thus reduces the risk of breast cancer.
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Myth : All breast lumps are cancerous
What Science Says
- 75–85% of breast lumps are due to benign (non-cancerous) disease in younger women; risk increases with age.
- Lump is not the only presentation of cancer; it may also present as:
- Lump in armpit
- Change in size/shape of breast
- Dimpling, puckering of breast
- Skin induration
- Redness
- Nipple discharge
- Nipple retraction
- Found on investigation for breast pain
- No symptoms
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Myth : Mammography always detects breast cancer
What Science Says
- 80–85% of breast cancers can be detected on mammography.
- A negative mammogram does not rule out malignancy and must be further investigated or followed up.
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Myth : Women with breast cancer should not become pregnant after treatment
What Science Says
- Women are advised not to become pregnant for about one year after treatment due to the effects of drugs and radiation.
- After this period, there is no restriction on pregnancy, even if both breasts have been removed.