Doctor debunks common breast cancer myths
Posted January 24, 2013 8:17 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Breast cancer is the second-most common cancer among Canadian women, but there are still dangerous myths surrounding the disease, medical oncologist Dr. Kathy Pritchard explained.
On average, 14 Canadian women die of breast cancer every day.
Feb. 4 is World Cancer Day and this year’s theme is dispelling the myths surrounding all types of cancer.
Pritchard spoke to City about the five most common breast cancer myths and the truth behind them.
Myth 1: A healthy diet will make you immune to cancer
Truth: Weight has more bearing on risk than diet.
“Maintaining a healthy weight is important but diet doesn’t give us any guarantees,” Pritchard explained.
Myth 2: You can only get breast cancer if you have a family history.
Truth: While family history is a factor, Pritchard said, most patients who get breast cancer do not have a family history.
“It’s a disease of reproduction – one of nine women, if they live to the age of 80, will develop breast cancer.”
Myth 3: A lump means cancer
Truth: Most often, that’s not the case. The vast number of breast lumps are not cancer, she said.
Myth 4: All breast cancer is the same
Truth: There are many types, ranging from aggressive to less aggressive. More than 80 per cent of cancers will not reoccur, but 20 per cent are metastatic – they will reoccur, Pritchard said.
Myth 5: After 5 healthy years, cancer won’t return
Truth: “Unfortunately, that’s false. We know that women with breast cancer, particularly the kind that is hormone-responsive, can come back. Women need to complete their treatment course.”
For more information on breast cancer, visit cbcn.ca.
