Breast Cancer Myths

Nas

feel it on the first campaign

My lump was 18 mm and no doctor including myself could feel it by hand examination, after having my sono and pet scan I went to my BS with all the images of where exactly my lump was located, he started to check my breast, after about 4 mins of checking he told me : it was supposed to be here but I can't feel anything

PurpleCat

Follow-up care depends on your particular situation. Not everyone needs an annual PET scan and regular blood tests for the rest of their life. Some of us just go back to regular annual mammograms. However, the amount of anxiety we may feel about that upcoming mammogram might match what we'd feel if our situations warranted more extensive screenings, so don't think that we're back to "normal" just because we're being screened like never-cancer women. In fact, we might be wishing we COULD get tested more often just for the reassurance.

LaughingGull

The hardest thing about cancer treatment is losing your hair. You will want to wear a wig.

Losing my hair was the only good thing about my cancer. I didn’t have to take care of my cut and my color and the conditioner and the keratin treatments. It was a huge relief and I discovered I didn’t want long hair anymore. I carried around my prescription for the wig and kept putting off getting the wig until I realized, halfway through, that I didn’t give a sh*t about it.

Now I wear my hear very short, get my haircut it at barber shops -and look better than ever.

buttonsmachine

This has been said, but I'd like to emphasize that the "young women don't get breast cancer" myth is especially pervasive and damaging.

Aden

I am 25 and have fiberadenoma. My question is, will consumption of whey protein increase the size of my lump. Also, my Testosterone is around 1.07, so is there any side effects of whey protein ( hard core gymer).

Kindly reply

Moderators

Dear Aden,

Welcome to the BCO community. We are concerned that you may not get the answers that you are looking for in this thread. In that you do not ave breast cancer, we suggest that you review the topics in the Benign Breast Conditions Forum. You also may want to check out our BreastHealth.org site. Let us know if we can be of further help.

The Mods

Texas357

1. If your mammogram is clear, that means you don't have breast cancer.

2. There's only one kind of breast cancer.

3. Breast cancer always grows in lumps.

Rosiesmum

that living a healthy lifestyle (exercise, clean eating, other good health) would be a vaccine against cancer.

voraciousreader

devil’s advocate....

Who promulgates all of these myths?

And better yet....

How do we best abolish these myths?

I will start....

Get rid of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

I am aware of breast cancer. I am aware of ALL of the myths. Now what? How do we get the population to understand that breast cancer myths are myths?

Get rid of the commercialization of breast cancer. Think Pink! Forget it! Think Teardrops instead! That should stop people in their tracks and start thinking.

Next? Get EVERY medical organization that studies the breast cancer studies on the same page! Every six months another group comes out with another statement on population based screening. Makes my head spin!

Educate our politicians. Tell them that the present screening stinks and we deserve better and ask them what they intend to do about it....

Anyone else with constructive ideas? I am game....

edj3

I think my friends' reactions to my BC line up with a lot of these myths.

I'm thin, physically fit and eat a clean diet. I've never smoked, I rarely drink, I had my children young and breast fed them each for about a year. There's no family history for breast cancer and nothing popped up on the genetic tests.

My mammogram this year showed . . . well nothing horrible but something caught the radiologist's eye and so I had the diagnostic mammogram. That showed nothing. The ultrasound showed something. Boom, here I am.

So you can do all the right things and still develop breast cancer, just as you can floss and brush your teeth twice daily and see the dentist twice a year and still end up with a cavity.

Barrington

I hear you on that one.

Aug. 2017 had a diagnostic ultrasound from nipple to chest wall of both breast and was "fine".

Aug. 2018 had a 3D annual mammogram completed and "nothing was suspicious- follow up in a year"

6 months later I was diagnosed with DCIS, had a double mastectomy and officially diagnosed with Stage 1A breast cancer.

Had my children young, breast fed them both for a year, eat clean, keep a healthy weight, don't carry the breast cancer gene.

Yet here I am.

Pommom1809

Barrington, I also had my children young, breast fed all four of them. Also eat fairly healthy, do lot’s of walking & want overweight. No cancer history in my family either or gene fit it. My BS said I was in the 26% that fit that profile.

I sure was surprised with my diagnosis last September.

Bilateral Mastectomy was three weeks ago, all the cancer was removed.will be starting radiation soon

Claire_in_Seattle

I have a problem with the "new normal" stuff. While it's true that breast cancer does affect your life, so do a lot of other things. I have also been through a divorce, the end of one career, the death of both parents, a cross-country move, the loss of two of my closest friends, and a recession. So another item to layer into my life experience.

I got stronger than ever cycling a couple of years after treatment and have gone on to do the best work of my career.

My biggest surprise was well-meaning friends who fed me bogus information immediately upon diagnosis: diet, no deodorant (phew), and to expect to take it easy. I wear the best and most flattering underwire bras that I can find. And for the record, one of my former male work colleagues didn't make it, so yes, male breast cancer is real.

I am extremely lucky. I have no idea what the future will bring, but I can say that I have had nearly 10 wonderful years since diagnosis. Decades ago, I never would have imagined myself spending a weekend cycling and vineyard camping. But that is exactly what I did last weekend.

I wish I could tell people to let go of the small things that grip their lives in fear (is the sugar in that extra cookie really going to contribute to your demise - really doubt it). If I did that, I wouldn't have done Sunday's ride where I saw bald eagles, glorious canyon scenery, lots of fellow cyclists and emerged fit and strong. I focus on these things though it's also possible that I could crash.

I think that what I am trying to say is that QOL is about a lot more than doing routine stuff. It's about feeding the imagination and spirit. And far too much of the "advice" is limiting in this regard. - Claire 

edwards750

Well done Claire.

Diane

wrenn

I always assumed "new normal" meant both good and bad. You are doing many new things you never would have imagined yourself doing so that is basically a new normal. I believe the people who have used to term to me meant it mostly in a good way since hearing the word "cancer" usually makes those diagnosed ponder 'death' and our survival instinct kicks in.

I think depending on past experiences and treatments and current life situations some people have a harder time adapting but I am really happy to read that you have done so well and I agree attitude makes a difference but this disease taught me about how different the experience is for us all. I knew nothing about the disease before Dx.

Hoping for continued good new normal. :-)

LisaK12

Myth: Once you've had a double mastectomy you can't get breast cancer.

Myth: Wearing antiperspirant causes breast cancer.

Myth: If your mammogram, ultrasound, and MRI were all clear then you don't have breast cancer.

Myth: If you get breast cancer then you will have to have radiation and/or chemotherapy.

Moderators

Wish too we had the like button for so many of these posts!

wrenn

After two pages of well thought out responses one of us was an inspiration.

LoveFromPhilly

“I wish I could tell people to let go of the small things that grip their lives in fear (is the sugar in that extra cookie really going to contribute to your demise - really doubt it).“

THIS. 👆🏽👆🏽

WC3

I think a lot of people think that in all instances of early to moderate stage breast cancer, you remove the lump and that is that.

But some people with early to moderate stage breast cancer have months of chemotherapy and targeted therapy, weeks of radiation, multiple surgeries, nerve damage, lymphedema and side effects from anti hormone therapy or oral chemotherapies.

Pommom1809

wc3 you really hit the nail on the head! You have described my situation to a T! I could have this neuropathy for one to two years according to my oncologist, plus I’m getting ready to do radiation then taking a hormone killer for five years.

My DIL is waiting for me to start babysitting her infant daughter. I would love to take care of her, but I am not able at this point. So much is expected of me, but I can’t do it all anymore.

Doris

Michelle_in_cornland

.....Claire_in_Seattle is my home girl!!!!!

Myth 1: That going through the experience of breast cancer is a negative one. Your journey is what you make it. I have met so many women with breast cancer, from all walks of life. I have met some nice people on this website as well!!!

Myth 2: Your life will never be the same. My life is better. You can let the cancer run your life, or you can run the cancer out of your life. Take chances, do more things outside of your comfort zone.

Myth 3: If you have early stage cancer, you can skip the hormone therapy. You cannot skip the hormone therapy. It does not matter if you had a mastectomy or lumpectomy. You have to do the work to get the results.

Myth 4: That you have to start your anti hormonal meds at full strength. You don't. Talk with your doctor and ask for 1/2 dose. Ease into something new, so that your body can adjust to the changes.

Myth 5: That you have to cut your breasts off immediately, to reduce the chances of cancer spreading. If your breasts are gone, you can still have cancer cells lurking.

Beesie

Michelle, I got that last one yesterday evening.

In a discussion about mets, someone said, with a look of confusion, "How can the cancer come back if you've had a mastectomy?"

So, a quick education session on the fact that breast cancer cells can still be lurking in your body even if your breast are gone. Those rogue little cells might never make their presence known, or if could happen in 2 years, or 7 years or 17 years.

To which the reply was "Well, that's just like everyone. We could all develop cancer in any part of our body."

So, further education on the difference between mets and a primary cancer.

Annoying, but hopefully a few people understand a bit better

dtad

Michele..thats a very optimistic post! Good for you! Unfortunately not all of us can be that optimistic. I don't think its a myth that going through breast cancer is a negative experience. I didn't feel having a double mastectomy was pleasant. The psychological aspect of losing my breasts was not easy. The pain associated with a BMX is also not pleasant. I'm 4 years out and I still look down to see if my bra is off when I take a shower because I have the iron bra feeling 24/7. My life has been forever changed. I have early stage BC and I don't take anti hormone therapy and I'm good with that. It's a personal choice. Starting aromatase inhibitors gradually might help you get used to it initially but it will have zero affect on potential side effects as time goes on. As far as cutting off your breasts immediately, some of us actually do! I do not mean to sound nasty or negative. I respect that is your opinion. I just disagree that they are myths. I think its great to be optimistic and most days I am. However I also think that this forum is a great way of sharing the realities of having breast cancer. Be well.

dtad

Michele..thats a very optimistic post! Good for you! Unfortunately not all of us can be that optimistic. I don't think its a myth that going through breast cancer is a negative experience. Maybe for some but definitely not for all. I didn't feel having a double mastectomy was pleasant. The psychological aspect of losing my breasts was not easy. The pain associated with a BMX is also not pleasant. I'm 4 years out and I still look down to see if my bra is off when I take a shower because I have the iron bra feeling 24/7. My life has been forever changed. I have early stage BC and I don't take anti hormone therapy and I'm good with that. Pease don't assume that those of us who have chosen not to take it are uneducated on the subject. I did tons of research on it before I made a personal choice. Starting aromatase inhibitors gradually might help you get used to it initially but it will have zero affect on potential side effects as time goes on. As far as cutting off your breasts immediately, some of us actually do have to.I do not mean to sound nasty or negative. I respect that is your opinion. I just disagree that they are myths. I know I cannot speak for them but I worry how those who are stage 4 will take what you said .IMO we should always be mindful of them. I think its great to be optimistic and most days I am. However I also think that this forum is a great way of sharing the realities of having breast cancer. Be well.

moth

So, after reading this thread I've come up with -

Myth: Just because something wasn't true for you, does not mean it's a myth.

(part of the issue here is that we don't have a good operational definition of myth. Does it have to be completely false? Or just rare? Or true for less than 50% of patients?)

MountainMia

moth, definition of myth is "a widely held but false belief or idea." So perhaps in this context, it's the things that people believe about breast cancer that are more false than true. Things like, screening is the same is prevention, or if you have a cancer, it will be found with mammogram, or even that breast cancer is all one thing, so is "easy" to treat. Or that they have the side effects all figured out, so that's really not a problem anymore. ??? I dunno. I sure didn't know anything about BC before I got here.

santabarbarian

Myth #1: "You might as well enjoy yourself, and eat anything you like-- milkshakes and pizza-- during chemo." And it's cousin: "what you eat does not matter."

You see both these attitudes all over these boards -- people slap down nutrition info on the logic that 'their vegan yoga teacher got cancer anyway so it does not matter....'

Yet a host of studies indicate there are many foods and metabolic conditions which help cause cancer (trans fats, nitrites, etc). Others contain compounds that can kill it (Resveratrol, EGCG, I3C). Cancer is a metabolic condition (affected by glucose, carbs, insulin, diabetes). Cancer likes inflammation, fats, hormones (dairy and meat).

A whole-food, plant-based diet is the best and healthiest paradigm for humans, as well as being the lowest in terms of recurrence rates (diets with under 20% of calories from fat also very low recurrence).

Western processed foods and non-nutritive corporate "foods" are not what our bodies are supposed to run on. You can be both fat and malnourished on these empty foods. It's only logical that well nourished people are going to be healthier!!

Myth #2: "It's bad to take antioxidants during chemo." Just because there is no double blind trial proving the benefit of something does not negate its possible benefit... Many clinicians are sold on the benefits of vitamins, supplements, and antioxidants during chemo and have great outcomes in their practices. Nobody pays $50M for double blind trial for a cheap antioxidant...

Most MOs are NOT well informed about nutrition and supplements.

Michelle_in_cornland

Wow. This is not a myth rebuttal thread. I am a very positive and very successful person. I think the two go hand in hand. Everyone gets to see life and death how they want to. Your life is what you make it. #boot_straps_kid

morningdove

Why would we ever want to blame each other or ourselves for being diagnosed with cancer and or a disease of any kind? It's enough to deal with a life threatening disease as it is. I have found myself doing just that, finding blame in my life style, my past, my choices, my diet, my home environment, my history... you name it but the truth is we are all human. Whether it is breast cancer or heart disease or old age or depression or an accident or whatever, the nature of life itself it that we are all vulnerable and mortal. One of the biggest gifts in life to me is compassion and empathy for whatever the struggle. May each of you find the comfort and support you need during this battle, no matter where you are and what your diagnosis is.