Breast cancer: Facts, myths, support

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide and the second most common in women in the U.S. behind only skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, affecting one in eight American women.

Since it’s so prevalent, Maury Regional Health recommends all women ages 40 and older receive a mammogram annually.

“The best defense is early detection,” said Dana Salters, administrative director of oncology at Maury Regional Health. “Mammograms are our best tool to discover early signs of breast cancer. If we can find and treat it early, survival rates increase exponentially.”

Fact vs. Myth

Did you know that 65% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a localized stage (meaning the cancer hasn’t spread outside the breast)? For localized breast cancer, the five-year survival rate is 99%. That’s why it’s important to schedule annual mammograms if you’re 40 or older. The earlier breast cancer is detected, the sooner treatment can begin.

Here are some more facts and myths about breast cancer:

Fact: A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States every two minutes, on average. In 2022, the American Cancer Society estimates 287,500 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the U.S., as well as 51,400 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer.

Myth: Men can’t get breast cancer. In 2022, an estimated 2,710 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S., and approximately 530 men will die from breast cancer. Breast cancer in men usually has the same symptoms as in women, including a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola.

Fact: There are risk factors that could increase your chances of getting breast cancer. Some of these risk factors include gender, age, race, obesity, a family history of breast cancer, personal history of breast cancer, certain menstrual and reproductive history, genome changes and having dense breast tissue. (To learn more about these risk factors, visit nationalbreastcancer.org.) It is also true, however, that some people have no risk factors and still develop breast cancer. That’s why annual screenings play such an important role in helping detect breast cancer in its early stages.

Myth: Breast cancer is caused by wearing underwire bras, implants, deodorants, antiperspirants, mammograms, caffeine, plastic food serving items, microwaves and cell phones. None of these things cause breast cancer. Cancer grows when a cell’s DNA is damaged, but why or how that DNA becomes damaged is still unknown. It could be genetic or environmental, or in most cases, a combination of the two. But most patients will never know exactly what caused their cancer. Developing breast cancer is certainly not your fault.

Fact: There are more than 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. Those who are diagnosed with breast cancer aren’t in their fight alone. The following are just a few of the local support groups there to help.

Support

“It’s important that those diagnosed with breast cancer know of the many support groups both at Maury Regional Health and elsewhere that are there to help,” Salters said. “There are people here to help you in your fight.”

At Maury Regional Medical Center, the Breast Cancer Support Group meets on the third Monday of each month in the Women’s Center in the Pavilion (no meetings in July, August or December). Survivors, trained professionals and guest speakers come together to help provide support and solutions. For more details, call 931.540.4166 or visit the Classes & Events Calendar at MauryRegional.com.

Reach to Recovery is a volunteer visitation program for breast surgery patients. The Reach to Recovery volunteer, a woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, provides emotional support and an educational kit containing a temporary prosthesis and information. For more details, call 931.388.6525 or 1.800.ACS.2345.