Common misconceptions about breast cancer

The idea that wearing underwired bras, using deodorants, or having mammograms increases the risk of breast cancer is incorrect.

Breast cancer is a common cancer in women, usually diagnosed in women between the ages of 65 and 74. Misunderstandings about the disease can increase anxiety about it.

Being overweight is a cause of cancer.

Obesity promotes chronic inflammation, thus increasing the risk of breast cancer. Fat cells produce excess estrogen, which promotes hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. However, according to the National Cancer Institute, a combination of factors such as age, genetics, environment, and gender contribute to the increased risk of this disease; weight is only one factor.

Overweight or obese individuals (those with a body mass index - BMI greater than 25) have an increased risk of developing breast cancer, depending on other risk factors. Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly to maintain a healthy weight can reduce the likelihood of developing the disease.

Deodorants can cause breast cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, there is a theory that antiperspirants under the armpits prevent the body from sweating, so the lymph nodes under the arms and throughout the chest cannot remove toxins from the body, leading to this disease. However, it is the kidneys and liver that are responsible for removing carcinogens from the blood, releasing them into urine and bile, not the lymph nodes.

There is also a theory that some components of deodorants and antiperspirants applied under the arms, near the breasts, have estrogen-like effects that increase the risk of breast cancer.

According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, no studies have yet found a link between the use of deodorants and antiperspirants and the development of breast cancer. However, they recommend avoiding these products before mammograms, as the metallic components in them can appear on images similar to breast calcification, leading to inaccurate images and diagnoses.

63 is the average age for women to be diagnosed with breast cancer. Photo: Freepik — 63 is the average age for women to be diagnosed with breast cancer. Photo: *Freepik*

Underwired bras increase the risk of developing this condition.

The wires or metal rods in the cups of underwired bras restrict lymphatic drainage, causing toxins to accumulate in that area. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, this is a misconception. Underwired bras can lead to discomfort, pain, and sometimes swelling in the breast tissue, but they do not increase the risk of breast cancer. Not wearing a bra does not reduce this risk either.

There is no evidence to support a link between breast cancer and bra cup size, average number of hours worn per day, or age at which bras are first worn.

Mammography increases the risk.

Mammograms are a common imaging test used to diagnose breast cancer and detect changes in the breasts. Because this method examines the breasts using radiation, many people worry that it increases their risk of developing the disease.

According to the American Cancer Society, research has not proven a higher incidence of cancer due to radiation from routine mammograms. The low-dose radiation from mammograms is far less than the radiation received from the natural environment. Routine mammograms help detect cancer earlier than concerns about exposure to a small amount of radiation.

Mai Cat (According to Everyday Health )

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