Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/579820
There's a lot of misleading information out there about breast cancer dangers. Here, we dispel some of the most common myths. SLEEPING IN A BRA OR WEARING AN UNDERWIRE BRA CAN CAUSE BREAST CANCER. FICTION. While studies have found that breast cancer is slightly less common among women who don't wear bras, the difference was not signifi cant enough to correlate with a direct cause. Additionally, women of an unhealthy weight are at a higher risk for breast cancer and also more likely to wear bras. Multiple studies have shown that how much you wear a bra or what style of bra you wear does not affect your likelihood of getting breast cancer. MY MOM NEVER HAD BREAST CANCER, SO I WON'T GET IT. FICTION. It's true that a family history of breast cancer (especially a fi rst-degree relative such as a mother, sister or daughter) increases your risk. However, 85 percent of women who develop breast cancer have no family history of the disease. Complete breast self-exams monthly and ensure clinical breast exams and mammograms are performed by a professional as recommended by your physician. DRINKING ALCOHOL INCREASES YOUR RISK FOR BREAST CANCER. FACT. Compared to women who drink no alcohol, women who have three alcoholic drinks per week have a 15-percent higher risk of breast cancer. There is as much as a 10-percent increase in breast cancer risk associated with each additional drink per day. The American Cancer Society recommends women limit their drinking to no more than one drink per day. MEN DON'T GET BREAST CANCER. FICTION. More than 2,000 American men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Family history, inherited genetic mutations, radiation exposure, alcohol consumption and obesity are all risk factors for male breast cancer. A PHYSICIAN SHOULD EVALUATE ANY CHANGES IN YOUR BREASTS. FACT. Lumps are common signs of breast cancer, but skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or retraction, or a discharge other than breast milk can also be signs of cancer. Don't ignore any change to your breasts and share your concerns with your physician. Breast Cancer Fact o Fiction: What can increase your risk for breast cancer, and what's completely harmless? Your primary care provider can help you understand your breast cancer risk factors. To find a physician, visit christushealth.org or call (877) 250-DOCS. What' You Normal? Examining your breasts for lumps, skin changes and other irregularities can aid in the detection of breast cancer. Historically, women have been asked to perform monthly breast self-exams. Now many physicians accept a less formal approach: breast self-awareness, which includes breast self-exams. Neither replaces clinical breast exams by your doctor. Women who practice breast self-awareness examine their breasts regularly, while breast self-exams require following step-by-step instructions. The goal is simply to become mindful of how your breasts normally look and feel. "You have occasional visits with your doctor — but you see yourself in the mirror every day," says Rashida Henderson, M.D., family medicine physician at CHRISTUS Family Medicine – Babcock Road. "Having a baseline understanding of how your body looks and feels empowers you to quickly spot changes and address concerns." To find a primary care provider who can help you take charge of your breast health, visit christussantarosa.org/christus-physician-group. 10 christussantarosa.org