1. Myth: Only women can get breast cancer.
Reality: Dads, husbands, and brothers can develop breast cancer, too, but it’s far less common in men than it is in women. Every year, about 2,000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, compared with about 200,000 women.
2. Myth: Breast cancer is the most common cause of death for women.
Reality: Actually, it’s not even the leading cause of cancer-related death. Both heart disease (the leading cause of death among American women) and lung cancer (the leading cause of cancer-related death) kill more women every year than breast cancer does.
3. Myth: A breast cancer diagnosis means you’re going to die.
Reality: This is usually true—in the movies. In fact, a recent study found that films drastically over-portray cancer as a death sentence; in 63 percent of the movies studied, cancer patients died of the disease. But in truth, thefive-year survival rate for early-stage breast cancer is more than 90 percent.
4. Myth: Most people who get diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of the disease.
Reality: Only an estimated 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are hereditary. Even if you don’t have a family history of the disease, it’s still important to stay up-to-date on your recommended screenings.
5. Myth: You only need to worry about a family history of breast cancer on your mother’s side.
Reality: A diagnosis of breast cancer on either side of the family is equally relevant. And be sure to ask about ovarian cancer, too—the BRCA gene mutations are linked to an increased risk of both breast and ovarian cancers, so a strong family history of either disease could indicate that you carry the mutations…
Read more: The Pueblo Chieftan
I am a breast cancer researcher and medical anthropologist, and co-author of the book, Dressed To Kill: The Link Between Breast Cancer and Bras.
Several research studies show the leading cause of breast cancer is the wearing of tight bras for long periods of time each day. Tight bras constrict and impair the breast lymphatic system and results in lymphedema (with fluid-filled cysts) and toxin accumulation within the breast tissue.
Unfortunately, the Komen Foundation refuses to address the bra issue at all, insisting it does not deserve scientific research. They say they want prevention, but they refuse to do any research at all into the bra/cancer link, despite studies showing this is the leading cause of this disease. The American Cancer Society also refuses to research or consider the bra issue, and the ACS even promotes bra wearing ("wear your pink bra"). These "experts" are clearly working to get your money, not end this disease. They want drug/surgical/and radiological treatment, not a simple, cost-free lifestyle change that prevents this terrible disease.
No scientific research opposes the bra/cancer theory. It is called a "myth" by cancer detection and treatment professionals who refuse to consider the issue.
Bottom line: We live in a culture where women are conditioned by a multi-billion dollar bra industry into believing they need artificially shaped breasts and this is causing breast disease, but the medical industry profits from treating this disease so it looks the other way.
For more see my website killerculture dot com.