Myth:

If you maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, eat healthy, and limit alcohol, you don’t have to worry about breast cancer.

Fact:

Although these behaviors can help lower breast cancer risk, they can't eliminate it. It is important to manage the risk factors that can be controlled, including diet and physical activity, however, it’s also important to get regular screenings, perform breast self-exams, and be alert to any unusual changes in your breasts.

Myth:

Using underarm antiperspirant can cause breast cancer.

Fact:

There is no evidence of a connection between underarm antiperspirant and breast cancer, but the safety of antiperspirants is still being studied. A common belief is that underarm antiperspirants containing aluminum or other chemicals increase cancer risk by being absorbed into lymph nodes, and then working their way into breast cells. While some studies have found that women who use aluminum products under their arms, are more likely to have higher concentrations of aluminum in breast tissue, there is no proven link between antiperspirant use and breast cancer.

Myth:

Annual mammograms guarantee that breast cancer will be found early.

Fact:

Although mammography is the best early-detection tool we have, it doesn't always find breast cancer at an early stage and can return a false-negative result. This means the images look normal even though cancer exists. Mammography does catch most breast cancers, though. This is why regular screenings are so important. It's also important to pay attention to any changes in your breasts, perform monthly breast self-exams and have a physical breast exam by a health professional every year.

Myth:

Breast cancer always causes a lump you can feel.

Fact:

Breast cancer might not cause a lump you can feel, especially when it first develops. By the time you can feel a lump, the cancer might have already moved beyond the breast into the lymph nodes. Although performing breast self-exams is important and should be done, it isn’t a substitute for regular screening with mammography.