UNDERSTANDING BREAST CANCER..

MYTHS VS FACTS.

Myth 1: I'm too young to worry about Breast Cancer.
Fact: Though the diseases is most common in post-menopausal women, breast cancer can affect women of any age.

Myth 2: Breast cancer diagnosis = Death.
Fact: When caught early, breast cancer survival rate is very high. Early detection and treatment is key in surviving breast cancer.

Myth 3: If i have a lump, it is cancer.
Fact: Most breast lumps are benign (non-cancerous); however, ALL lumps must be checked. The percentage of benign breast lumps in older women may be much lower than in younger women. It is still important for women to report any breast abnormality to their physician.

Myth 4: Herbal remedies, dietary supplements OR alternative therapy can treat cancer.
Fact: This is one of the major misconceptions in out society and results in delayed treatment and sometimes death of breast cancer patients. No herbal remedy or the likes, has been scientifically proven to treat breast cancer. In actual fact, these may cause side effects and even accelerate the progression of the disease.

Myth 5: If I have surgery, my cancer will spread.
Fact: The only thing that will promote cancer spread is a delay in diagnosis and failure to treat the cancer.

Myth 6: Breast cancer is contagious.
Fact: Breast cancer is NOT contagious.

Myth 7: Radiation therapy kills. It will burn my heart, ribs and lungs.
Fact: Radiation techniques are safe and effective for treating breast cancer with few complications. Irritation of the skin or redness may occur but this will disappear post-treatment.

Myth 8: Breast cancer is preventable.
Fact: There is no known way to prevent breast cancer at this time. There are various factors that can increase your chances of developing breast cancer however avoiding these do not prevent you from getting the disease. These factors include: Obesity, high fat diets and alcohol.

Myth 9: Only women get breast cancer.
Fact: Men DO get breast cancer too, although rare.

Myth 10: Breast cancer always presents itself in the form of a lump.
Fact: Although a breast lump can indicate breast cancer including other non- cancerous conditions, there are many women that are diagnosed with breast cancer and DON'T have a noticeable lump.