Q: Can eating certain foods cause breast cancer?A: Several large studies looking at the link between foods and breast cancer have been conducted. To date, a link between foods and breast cancer has not been identified. A few studies have found a possible link between fat and breast cancer, but further research needs to be completed. As a general rule of thumb, the best practice is to eat a healthy diet rich in lean proteins, whole grains and fibrous fruits and vegetables.
Q: Can an injury to my breast develop into breast cancer?A: Injury to the breast does not cause breast cancer. In some cases, the breast may become bruised after an injury and, in rare cases, develop a non-cancerous lump called fat necrosis. Fat necrosis is not dangerous, and the symptoms usually subside within a month. If you have a lump in your breast and are concerned that it may be breast cancer, consult with your doctor immediately.
Q: Will wearing underwire bras cause breast cancer? A: Wearing an underwire bra will not cause breast cancer. A popular book published in 1995 suggested that underwire bras constrict the body's lymph node system, causing breast cancer. This claim is inaccurate. No studies have found a link between select undergarments and breast cancer.
Q: Do mammograms cause breast cancer?A: No, mammograms do not cause breast cancer. In fact, it is recommended that women over 40 have a mammogram every year. Mammograms use low levels of radiation that are determined to be safe and are an excellent tool for detecting breast cancer at an early stage, and early detection is essential in reducing the number of women who develop stage IV, also known as metastatic breast cancer. As every woman and case of breast cancer is different, women should talk with their doctors about their personal risk factors for breast cancer. In some cases, women with a high risk of breast cancer should have a mammogram before the age of 40.
Q: If I have fibrocystic breasts, am I at higher risk for breast cancer?A: About 50 percent of women will be affected by fibrocystic breast condition at some point in their lives. Fibrocystic breasts are common and non-cancerous. Fibrocystic breasts are not a risk factor for breast cancer. They do make detection with standard imaging and exam techniques more difficult, but not impossible.
Q: Will surgery to remove a breast cause the cancer to spread?A: When breast cancer spreads, it is said to have metastasised. No one knows what causes breast cancer to metastasise, but there is no link between the surgical removal of a breast and the spread of breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer is the most advanced stage of breast cancer. There are various treatment options available today for women with this disease -- including chemotherapy, endocrine therapy and targeted therapy - which continue to play a central role in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. It is important that women with this disease speak with their doctors about their treatment options.
Q: Does breast cancer affect only post-menopausal women?A: No, women of all ages can develop breast cancer. A woman's risk of developing breast cancer does increase as she ages, making it important for all women 40 and older to have an annual mammogram. Women should report any new breast changes to their doctor as soon as they are found. Early detection is important in increasing survival and reducing the chances of the cancer metastasising (spreading).
Q: Can I get breast cancer if it doesn't run in my family?A: A family history of breast cancer does increase risk; however, more than 80% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer do not have identifiable risk factors for breast cancer, like a family history.