Alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer - True
Alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association "alcohol consumption is associated with a linear increase in breast cancer incidence in women over the range of consumption reported by most women.” When compared to non alcoholics women who consume a glass alcohol daily have 9 %, two glasses have 18% and 3 glasses have 27% increased risk of getting breast cancer. Alcohol induces other cancers like oral and throat cancers also.
Sunlight reduces the risk of breast cancer - May be
According to John Hopkins University Medical School Scientists, the exposure to full spectrum light is positively related to the prevention of breast, colon and rectal cancers. The ultraviolet rays in sun help to convert the cholesterol in vitamin D3 which inhibits the growth of cancer cells. Experts say that people who live in low amount of sunlight areas have increased risk of getting breast cancer. But there is an exception for this. Even though people living in Japan are exposed to the low amount of sunlight, the incidence is very low in that country. This is because the Japanese eat a large quantity of fatty fish that is rich in vitamin D. So food enriched in vitamin D and supplements and daily 10 to 15 minutes of exposure to sun reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Caffeine increases the risk of breast cancer - False
According to the American Medical Association's Council on Scientific Affairs and the National Cancer Institute there is not an association between caffeine intake and the incidence of FBD. But the intake of caffeine should be in limits.
Overweight increases the risk of breast cancer - True
Fat tissue produces estrogen and breast cancer risk is linked to increased levels of the hormone estrogen. Particularly women who have overweight at menopause stage have the increased risk of getting breast cancer by 60%. According to Heather Spencer Feigelson of the American Cancer Society, when compared to women who gained 20 pounds or less during adulthood, women who gained more than 60 pounds were almost twice as likely to have ductal type breast tumors and more than 1.5 times more likely to have lobular type cancers.
Wearing of bras lead to breast cancer - May be
Some researchers say there is no scientific evidence for wearing of bras lead to breast cancer, some claimed that underwired bras cause breast cancer by blocking the fine tubes of the lymphatic system under the arm. Some studies proved that wearing of tight bras and using 24 hours daily increased the risk. This is because tight bras apply pressure to breasts and closing off the lymphatic pathway from the breast to the nodes. This causes fluid build-up, swelling, tenderness and cyst formation. So don't wear tight bras.
All breast lumps are cancerous - False
Generally 80% of lumps in breasts are non cancerous for younger women. As a woman ages, risk of getting breast cancer increases. So it is better to consult physician if any breast abnormality persists after two or more menstrual cycles.
Antiperspirants and Deodorants increase the risk of breast cancer - False
Antiperspirants do not cause breast cancer. There is a myth claiming that certain toxins, in deodorants and antiperspirants are deposited in the lymph nodes below the arms, leading to cell mutations and the development of breast cancer. But there is no evidence for this argument. According to the National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration there is no substantial evidence that antiperspirants cause breast cancer.
A mammogram leads to breast cancer - False
This is only a myth. A mammogram is a safe procedure that uses extremely low levels of radiation to create the detailed image of breast. Mammography systems are safe and use the lowest doses of radiation possible. Moreover we can detect the breast cancer in early stages so that it can be treated very effectively.
Birth control pills increase the risk - May be
Women who use birth control pills for long term have higher risk of getting breast cancer. But the pills alone do not induce the risk. According to Journal of National Cancer Institute women with inherited mutations of the breast cancer gene BRCA1 have higher risk of breast cancer if they take birth control pills and for the women with the BRCA2 it did not increase the high breast cancer rate. So it is better to take the advice of a physician before using the birth control pills.
Green tea reduces the risk - True
According to Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health drinking green tea may help protect women from getting breast cancer. This is because green tea has higher amount of polyphenols that are helpful in preventing and treating cancer. Green tea means the partly fermented tea from Camellia sinensis plant without milk and sugar.
Breastfeeding reduces the risk - True
According to Cancer Research UK Study breast feeding reduces the risk of breast cancer. Breast feeding reduces the risk of breast cancer by 4.3% for every year of feeding and 7% reduction the risk for each child born. According to a Swedish study one year breast feeding may reduce the breast cancer risk for BRCA1 (breast cancer faulty gene) carriers.
Only women get breast cancer - False
Though breast cancer is a primarily a disease in women, almost 1% of breast cancer occur in men. According to the American Cancer Society about 2,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed in men each year and approximately 450 men die from breast cancer annually. Symptoms of male breast cancer may include a breast lump, swelling, skin dimpling or puckering, nipple retraction (the nipple turns inward), redness or scaling of the nipple or breast skin, and nipple discharge.
