True or False: 10 Theories About Breast Cancer

Get the facts about decreasing your risk for the disease.

New Research Underway on Black Health in St. Louis - In hopes of creating better health policies, researchers from Washington University and Saint Louis University are teaming up to address racial health disparities among Blacks in the city of St. Louis. They will focus their work on a range of issues including risk factors for chronic conditions, access to care and mental health illnesses, says a Washington University press release. (Photo: LWA / Getty Images)

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“Men Can't Get Breast Cancer” - The truth behind the causes and risk factors associated with breast cancer. – Britt Middleton  FALSE: Each year, about 2,100 men are estimated to be diagnosed with breast cancer and about 450 men will die from it each year. "Many men think that only women can get breast cancer; this misunderstanding may cause some men to ignore breast lumps until the cancer has spread too far to be curable," Dr. Ted Gansler of the American Cancer Society (ACS) writes. (Photo: Getty/STOCK)

“Most Cases of Breast Cancer Are Hereditary" - FALSE: Only about 5 to 10 percent of breast cancer cases are the result of inherited genetic mutations, and only about 20 to 30 percent of women with breast cancer have a family member with the disease. However, having one first-degree relative (mother, sister or daughter) with breast cancer doubles a woman's risk, and having two first-degree relatives triples her risk. (Source: The American Cancer Society) (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images) 

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“Most Cases of Breast Cancer Are Hereditary" - FALSE: Only about 5 to 10 percent of breast cancer cases are the result of inherited genetic mutations, and only about 20 to 30 percent of women with breast cancer have a family member with the disease. However, having one first-degree relative (mother, sister or daughter) with breast cancer doubles a woman's risk, and having two first-degree relatives triples her risk. (Source: The American Cancer Society) (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images) 

Electronic Health Records - Insurers will be required to provide electronic health records, which will reduce paperwork and costs and make it easier for health care providers, from physicians to pharmacists, to access a patient's information.  (Photo: Getty Images/STOCK)

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“There Are Some Cancer Risk Factors You Can't Change” - TRUE: Factors such as your age, gender, race and genetics are among breast cancer risk factors that you can't change, which is why researchers recommend visiting your health care provider regularly for mammogram screenings. (Source: The American Cancer Society) (Photo: Todd Pearson/Getty/STOCK)

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“Breast Self-Exams Are No Longer Recommended by Experts” - TRUE: The American Cancer Society (ACS) no longer recommends routine breast self-exams done at home as an effective tool for breast cancer screening and instead recommends a method of breast awareness, which means knowing how your breasts look and feel and being alert to any changes in your breasts that you may notice while showering, dressing and other activities. (Photo: PA/Landov)

“Mammography Is the Leading Method for Early Breast Cancer Detection” - TRUE: Mammography can detect about 80 to 90 percent of breast cancer in woman without symptoms, and because mammograms can find many cancers that are far too small to be felt, they help save lives by uncovering cancer in its earliest stages. The ACS recommends receiving a mammogram once every three years for women aged 20 to 39 and every year for women aged 40 and older. (Photo: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

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“Mammography Is the Leading Method for Early Breast Cancer Detection” - TRUE: Mammography can detect about 80 to 90 percent of breast cancer in woman without symptoms, and because mammograms can find many cancers that are far too small to be felt, they help save lives by uncovering cancer in its earliest stages. The ACS recommends receiving a mammogram once every three years for women aged 20 to 39 and every year for women aged 40 and older. (Photo: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

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“There is Nothing You Can Do to Help Prevent Breast Cancer” - FALSE: Researchers have found that being overweight or obese increases a woman's risk, particularly after menopause.  Exercising regularly has been reported to decrease risk by as much as 25 percent, and women who don't drink alcohol were found to have a decreased risk of developing breast, throat, esophagus and liver cancers than women who drank more than one alcoholic drink per day. (Source: The American Cancer Society) (Photo: The Plain Dealer /Landov)

Photo By Photo: Marvin Fong/The Plain Dealer/Landov

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“A Breast Injury Can Develop Into Breast Cancer” - FALSE: Researchers say there is no evidence that bruising your breast leads to cancer. However, by telling your doctor about an area where you are experiencing pain, he or she can better assess the best course for treatment, if needed. (Source: The American Cancer Society)  (Photo: 18490/STOCK)

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“Being a Woman Is the Main Risk Factor for Breast Cancer” - TRUE: Women have more breast tissue than men and women's cells exposed to the growth-promoting effects of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Combined, these hormones are known to increases breast cancer risk. (Source: The American Cancer Society) (Photo: Matt McClain for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Myth 9: Deodorant Causes Cancer - While this is a popular myth, it just isn’t true. There is no trusted data that has found a correlation between wearing deodorant and antiperspirants and breast cancer risk, confirms the National Cancer Institute.   (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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“Your Brand of Antiperspirant Can Increase Your Risk” - FALSE: According to the ACS, there has not been sufficient evidence to prove that chemicals in antiperspirant products interfere with lymph circulation and cause a build-up of toxins that can lead to breast cancer. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

In Good Hands - 80.5 percent: percentage of Blacks that were covered by health insurance during all or part of 2011. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2011. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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“You Should Only Contact Your Doctor If You Find a Lump”   - FALSE: While detecting a lump in your breast can be a sign of abnormality, there are other symptoms associated with breast cancer including skin irritation or dimpling of the breast tissue, a change in the size or shape of the breast and nipple pain. These concerns should be addressed with your doctor as soon as possible. (Source: The American Cancer Society)  To learn more about breast cancer, visit BET Goes Pink. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)