True or False: 10 Theories About Breast Cancer
Get the facts about decreasing your risk for the disease.
1 / 10
“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)
2 / 10
“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)
3 / 10
“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)
4 / 10
“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)
5 / 10
“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)
ADVERTISEMENT