Myths And Facts About Breast Cancer

Myth: Coffee drinkers have an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

This is not so, in fact research has shown that coffee may actually prevent cancer. It was once believed that caffeine which is present in coffee caused a fibrocystic breast condition, a non cancerous condition which has symptoms of tenderness, pain, lumpiness and cysts in the breasts.

Myth: Nausea and vomiting occurs when you undergo radiation therapy.

Nausea and vomiting does not occur when you undergo radiation therapy for breast cancer.

Myth: Breast cancer is always expressed in the form of a lump.

Whilst a lump in the breast is a certain sign of breast cancer, not all individuals who are diagnosed with breast cancer have a lump that is noticeable. It is very important therefore, for every woman over the age of 40 years to perform a monthly breast self-examination and while doing so check for the following: \r

If there is any swelling or thickening of the breast.

If there are any hard knots or new lumps in the armpit or breast.

If there is any change in the symmetry, size or shape of the breast.

If there is any thickening or any lump that does not reduce after the next period.

If there is any scaliness or redness of the breast skin or nipple.

If there is a nipple discharge especially if it is a spontaneous discharge, is clear and sticky, bloody or dark.

If there is any indention, puckering or dimpling in the breast.

If there is any skin irritation, dimpling or any other change in the skin of the breast or nipple. \r If there is any pain or tenderness in the nipple.

If the nipple is pointing in a new direction or drawing or turning inward.

Or any other change in the breast which may be a cause for concern.
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If any of the above changes do occur it is best that a clinical examination is done. However, having any of theses changes does not necessarily mean that the individual has breast cancer. Some individuals also develop breast cancer without any symptoms and it can only be detected by a mammogram. Therefore it is recommended that a mammogram be carried out every year for woman 40 years and above as early detection is the key to successful treatment and survival.

Myth: A woman diagnosed with breast cancer will eventually lose her breast.

Women diagnosed with breast cancer will at sometime have to undergo surgery, which is part of the treatment. The treatment would generally depend on how far the cancer has spread. If the cancer is detected in the early stages Lumpectomy, which is the removal of the lump and surrounding amount of normal tissue followed by radiation therapy is the most common type of treatment today. Some may have to undergo mastectomy, which is the removal of the affected breast. Drugs, that is, anticancer drugs are also used to shrink the size of the breast tumor in order that the patient would only have to undergo lumpectomy instead of mastectomy. It all depends on the individual case and what treatment is best for them.

Michael Russell\r Your Independent guide to Breast Cancer

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This entry was posted on Thursday, September 4th, 2008 at 3:21 am and is filed under Breast Cancer Treatment . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.