What are some recently dispelled myths concerning the causes of breast cancer?
It was a common belief that women who had fibrocystic disease of the breast were at high risk for breast cancer. This has not been shown in scientific studies. The American College of Pathologists made a statement in the late 1980’s that fibrocystic disease of the breast does not increase to risk of breast cancer. Another fear that women have is that a blow or trauma to the breast will cause breast cancer. This is not true. Another myth that may seem silly to some is that cancer is contagious. Women have reported losing their job or being ignored by coworkers. Cancer is not contagious. A common breast pain called mastalgia causes many women discomfort and fear that of cancer. Mastalgia can be related to the menstrual cycle or it can be constant. Little is known about the treatment of these breast pains only that it is not breast cancer. Causes of breast cancer are not just one thing but a combination of risk factors traced to the environment, genetics, and lifestyle, for example. A ris
