Dr Suman Das

Myths about Breast Cancer : Know the facts

Fight cancer with courage not prejudice….

Myths about Breast cancer :

Q: Lump in breast is always a cancerous growth :

https://www.verywellhealth.com/understanding-breast-lumps-both-benign-and-cancerous-430415

https://drsumandas.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1035&action=edit

No all breast lumps are not cancerous they could be benign lesions and may not need any treatment also

Q: Male donot get breast cancer :

Male can get breast cancer

https://www.breastcancer.org/types/male-breast-cancer

Biopsy or FNAC can spread the disease :

No the FNAC or biopsy doesn’t cause spread of disease. Biopsy is essential for the decision to proceed further for the treatment.

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/breast-biopsy.html

If Someone has family history then she will certainly get breast cancer:

With familial risk being only 5% the there is 95% chances you will not get breast cancer, If there is family history then need to be more alert and should undergo screening tests and follow protocols for early diagnosis.

https://www.breastcancer.org/risk/risk-factors/family-history

Cancer is Contagious: 

No cancer is not contagious. A person with cancer should be treated with compassion and care.

https://www.cancer.org/healthy/cancer-causes/general-info/is-cancer-contagious.html#:~:text=Cancer%20is%20NOT%20contagious,body%20of%20another%20healthy%20person.

Deodorants cause Breast cancer :

NO there is no evidence to suggest that the use of deodorants cause breast cancer.

Chemotherapy is dangerous :

No the chemotherapy is not dangerous, in the present day the side effects of chemotherapy are easily managed they are not dangerous.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8340-chemotherapy-for-breast-cancer

https://drsumandas.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1031&action=edit

Radiotherapy is painful:

No radiotherapy for breast is given only to the chestwall or the breast tissue. There is no blackening or any other side effect. The patient can continue to attain office during the radiotherapy.

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/radiation-for-breast-cancer.html#:~:text=Radiation%20to%20the%20breast%20can,in%20the%20arm%20or%20chest.

https://drsumandas.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=977&action=edit

The entire breast has to be removed in surgery:

No the entire breast need not be removed. In early stage disease and certain cases of locally advanced stage of breast cancer Breast conservation surgery is done. Only the part of the breast where tumor is there is removed followed by radiotherapy. There are numerous evidence to suggest the results are same in BCS and complete removal of breast.

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/breast-conserving-therapy#:~:text=Breast%2Dconserving%20therapy%20(BCT),patients%20with%20early%20breast%20cancer.

Dr Suman Das

Oncologist by profession, Amatuer Photographer, Tennis enthusiast, Vizag Runner, Spartan Cyclist, Blogger Dil se and a Traveller