Myths of Breast Cancer

It seems like every year we find more and more factors contributing to cancer. However, among all this information are some beliefs concerning breast cancer that are actually MYTHS [10]

1) Men can't get breast cancer
2) Underwire bras cause breast cancer
3) Women under 40 don't get breast cancer
4) Deoderants cause breast cancer
5) Birth Control Pills cause cancer (although there has been studies showing slight association [7] there is no direct link)
6) Mammograms spread breast cancer
7) A lump in the breast is always breast cancer
8) Breast cancer can only develop in one breast, not both
9) A mastetomy is the only treatment
10) The smaller the your breasts the smaller the chance of developing breast cancer

Associated links to breast cancer, definitely worth a look:

Canadian Cancer Society
All About Breast Cancer
Health Canada
Breast Cancer Society of Cancer
The Weekend to End Breast Cancer


At our own university there is a comprehensive Masters in Science program in Medicine that specializes in cancer research. Some of the supervisors specialize in breast cancer research and are strong supporters of breast cancer research. Dr. Jon Church in particular has made tremendous efforts to help those with breast cancer. He owns and administrates an internet discussion listserv called "BREAST-CANCER" where over 600 people from 30 countries can discuss topics on breast cancer. He also uses an audio teleconference twice a month as a means of support for woman suffering from breast cancer and coordinates a world wide web page that was recognized in 1997 by Snap! Online and HealthyWay as " Best of the Web".
Dr. Gary Paterno is another researcher at Memorial that completes work directed towards breast cancer. He currently is studying the regulation of estrogen receptor activity and it's role in breast cancer.