There are many misconceptions and myths about breast cancer. Breast Cancer occurs about 90 percent of the time as a hard, stony, non-mobile in breast tissue. Usually breast cancer is a painless lump that can be felt, is found in only one breast, and occurs in women over 35 years of age. It's important to utilize self breast exams, clinical breast exams and mammogram so that breast cancer can be found early.

Myth: Finding a lump means you have breast cancer.
Fact: Most of the time lumps are caused by hormonal changes in the breast. However, lumps can be caused by breast cancer so it is vital to contact your health care professional. 

Myth: Men don't get breast cancer.
Fact: Men do develop breast cancer. Approximately 1400 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the United States.

Myth: A mammogram can cause breast cancer and/or cause breast cancer to spread.
Fact: Mammograms do not cause breast cancer or cause breast cancer to spread. The amount of x-rays used for the mammogram is minimal and less than the exposure humans receive from other sources every day.

Myth: Having a family history of breast cancer means you will get breast cancer.
Fact: Only about 10% of breast cancers can be traced to family history. 90% of breast cancers are difficult to trace to any particular cause. Risk factors for breast cancer are being a woman, being caucasian and getting older. 

Myth: Birth control pills cause cancer.
Fact: Many research studies have looked at the relationship between birth control pills and breast cancer. Some studies have shown a link and some have not. It is important to talk with your doctor or health care professional about your own personal risk and birth control pills.

Myth: Coffee causes breast cancer.
Fact: Research has demonstrated no link between breast cancer and coffee. 

Myth: Anti-perspirants/Deodorants cause breast cancer.
Fact: Research has demonstrated no link between antiperspirants and deodorants and breast cancer.

Myth: Breast feeding causes cancer.
Fact: Breast feeding does not cause breast cancer. In fact, some studies have shown that breastfeeding may potentially decrease the risk of breast cancer. More research needs to be done to evaluate this. 

Myth: If a woman gets breast cancer, she will die from it.
Fact: Early detection can prevent the deaths of women from breast cancer. Self breast exams, clinical breast exams, and mammograms are our best tools in the early detection of breast cancer. 

Myth: If a woman has a normal mammogram, she doesn't have to worry about breast cancer.
Fact: While Mammograms are the gold standard for the early detection of breast cancer, mammograms may not detect approximately 10% of breast cancers. It is vital that women practice all three measures for early detection: self breast exams, clinical breast exams, and mammograms. 

Myth: Small breasted women cannot get breast cancer.
Fact: The size of a woman's breast does not increase or decrease her risk for cancer. 

Myth: Large breasted women are at greater risk for breast cancer.
Fact: The size of a woman's breast does not increase or decrease her risk for cancer. 

Myth: Discharge from the nipple means a woman has breast cancer.
Fact: Nipple discharge is normal for some women. Any new nipple discharge should be reported and evaluated by your healthcare professional. 

Myth: Breast cancer is contagious.
Fact: Breast cancer is not contagious.

Myth: Only older women get breast cancer.
Fact: Over 10,000 women under 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. 

Myth: Breast cancer is becoming an epidemic in young women.
Fact: Due to early detection improvement, breast cancer is being detected earlier in younger women. 

Myth: Knowing you have changes in BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 means you can prevent breast cancer.
Fact: There is currently no method for preventing breast cancer but women can take steps to decrease their risk and practice early detection measures such as breast self exams, clinical breast exams and mammograms. 

Myth: If a lump is painful, it is (or is not) breast cancer.
Fact: Approximately 10% of women with breast cancer experience pain as a symptom. Any breast pain should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Most lumps are not cancerous, however, any abnormal changes in the breast need to be evaluated by a physician.