Breast cancer is a major threat to women's health, particularly prevalent among those who marry and have children later in life. However, many people hold misconceptions about breast cancer, preventing them from understanding it correctly. Below, we'll explore some key facts about breast cancer to help you avoid these pitfalls during prevention and protect your breasts effectively.
Misconception 1: "Oh no! I found a lump in my breast—I must have breast cancer!"
In reality, many breast lumps are benign. A previous study revealed that among women under 40 with breast lumps, 90% of biopsy results were benign.
Under the influence of estrogen, women often experience breast tenderness or feel lumps before or during their menstrual cycle. If the lump disappears after the cycle ends, it usually indicates no cause for concern.
Misconception 2: Long-term hormone medication use is unrelated to breast cancer
Be highly vigilant about the potential for hormone-induced breast cancer. Women planning their first pregnancy or with a family history of breast cancer should avoid oral contraceptives.
Misconception 3: Men cannot develop breast cancer
Breast tissue exists in males, making them susceptible to breast cancer, which arises from malignant tumor tissue within breast cells.
Male breasts lack developed lobules and alveoli, resulting in significantly smaller size compared to female breasts.However, precisely because male breast tissue is thinner and weaker, once a tumor develops, it can easily spread to surrounding areas. It doesn't take long for tumor cells to invade the skin and muscle tissue of the breast. Consequently, male breast cancer patients are often diagnosed at an advanced stage during their initial visit.
Therefore, men should remain highly vigilant for any breast abnormalities in their daily lives.If a man experiences localized breast pain or tenderness, discovers a painless lump with indistinct borders, notices nipple retraction, or observes discharge, he should immediately seek consultation and examination at a hospital's breast specialty clinic.
Misconception 4: I'm not even in menopause—breast cancer has nothing to do with me!
Many young women mistakenly believe breast cancer exclusively affects middle-aged and elderly women, neglecting breast health. However, routine physical examinations and surveys in China reveal a trend toward younger onset of breast cancer. Approximately 50% of women aged 20-30 have breast hyperplasia. While hyperplasia itself is not cancerous, if left untreated, it carries a high risk of becoming malignant.
Misconception 5: No one in my family has had breast cancer, so I definitely won't get it!
Recent studies indicate that even without a family history, failure to prevent and treat breast cancer promptly can still lead to its development. Director Liu Wei explains that family history is not the primary cause of breast cancer. The fundamental reasons are unhealthy lifestyles, poor dietary habits, and a lack of proper preventive awareness.
Misconception 6: I didn't find any lumps during self-examination, so I definitely don't have breast cancer. Breast lumps are not the only symptom of breast cancer. Many patients' early symptoms are merely symmetrical changes in the breast, such as thickened skin, orange-peel-like changes in the breast skin, breast discharge, or watery or bloody discharge.
However, some patients exhibit no typical symptoms or general discomfort. Upon careful examination, doctors may only detect enlarged axillary lymph nodes in these patients. This significantly increases the risk of breast cancer being missed.