21 breast cancer myths, answered
Dr. Haritha Chiramana takes you through the 21 myths of the October awareness series, from family history to life after treatment.
Read the breast cancer myths →Home / Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October · Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast cancer:
21 myths, answered.
రొమ్ము క్యాన్సర్ అవగాహన మాసం – 21 అపోహలు, నిజాలు
Myths delay check-ups and frighten families. This October, read one myth a day, and share the facts with the women in your family.
Watch
Watch Dr. Haritha explain
Short videos on breast cancer by Dr. Haritha Chiramana. All 21 myths are also answered in writing below.
When should mammograms start?
A short answer from Dr. Haritha Chiramana on breast screening with mammograms.
Read the myth: Normal mammogram, safe for life? →Videos play from YouTube. General education only; they cannot replace an individual consultation.
When to see a doctor
Breast changes that need a doctor's check
- A new lump or thickening in the breast or armpit
- A change in the size or shape of the breast
- Dimpling or puckering of the skin
- A nipple that turns inward, or a rash or crusting on the nipple
- Fluid or blood from the nipple without squeezing
- Redness, swelling or warmth that doesn't settle
Most breast changes are not cancer, but any new change should be checked promptly. Early diagnosis makes treatment simpler and more successful.
The myths
21 myths, one a day
Myth #01 · Risk
Only older women get breast cancer?
రొమ్ము క్యాన్సర్ పెద్ద వయసు స్త్రీలకు మాత్రమే వస్తుందా?Breast cancer becomes more common with age, but younger women can get it too.
Read the factsMyth #02 · RiskNo family history, so I'm safe?
మా ఇంట్లో ఎవరికీ లేదు, కాబట్టి నాకు రాదా?Most women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of it.
Read the factsMyth #03 · RiskMen can't get breast cancer?
మగవారికి రొమ్ము క్యాన్సర్ రాదా?Men can get breast cancer. It is rare, but it happens.
Read the factsMyth #04 · RiskSmall breasts mean lower risk?
రొమ్ములు చిన్నవైతే ప్రమాదం తక్కువా?Breast size does not affect breast cancer risk.
Read the factsMyth #05 · RiskMiracle juice prevents breast cancer?
అద్భుత రసం రొమ్ము క్యాన్సర్‌ను ఆపుతుందా?No juice, powder or supplement is proven to prevent breast cancer.
Read the factsMyth #06 · RiskSugar feeds cancer?
చక్కెర క్యాన్సర్‌ను పెంచుతుందా?Cutting out sugar cannot starve a tumour. A healthy weight matters more.
Read the factsMyth #07 · RiskStress causes breast cancer?
మానసిక ఒత్తిడి వల్ల రొమ్ము క్యాన్సర్ వస్తుందా?Large studies have not shown that stress causes breast cancer.
Read the factsMyth #08 · RiskBras, deodorants & phones cause breast cancer?
బ్రాలు, డియోడరెంట్లు, ఫోన్ల వల్ల రొమ్ము క్యాన్సర్ వస్తుందా?Research has found no link between bras, deodorants or phones and breast cancer.
Read the factsMyth #09 · RiskBreast cancer is contagious?
రొమ్ము క్యాన్సర్ అంటువ్యాధా?Breast cancer cannot spread from one person to another.
Read the factsMyth #10 · SymptomsEvery breast lump means cancer?
రొమ్ములో ప్రతి గడ్డా క్యాన్సరేనా?Most breast lumps are benign, especially in younger women. But you can't tell by touch alone.
Read the factsMyth #11 · SymptomsNo pain, no breast cancer?
నొప్పి లేకపోతే రొమ్ము క్యాన్సర్ కాదా?Breast cancer can be painless, especially in its early stages.
Read the factsVideo
Myth #12 · ScreeningNormal mammogram, safe for life?
మామోగ్రామ్ నార్మల్ వస్తే జీవితాంతం సురక్షితమా?A normal mammogram is reassuring, not a lifetime guarantee.
Read the factsMyth #13 · ScreeningMammogram radiation is dangerous?
మామోగ్రామ్ రేడియేషన్ ప్రమాదకరమా?A mammogram uses a very low dose of radiation, and its benefit far outweighs the small risk.
Read the factsMyth #14 · DiagnosisBiopsy spreads cancer?
బయాప్సీ వల్ల క్యాన్సర్ వ్యాపిస్తుందా?A biopsy does not spread cancer. It is the only way to confirm a diagnosis.
Read the factsMyth #15 · TreatmentBreast cancer is a death sentence?
రొమ్ము క్యాన్సర్ అంటే మరణమేనా?Found early, breast cancer is one of the most treatable cancers.
Read the factsMyth #16 · TreatmentBreast cancer means removing the entire breast?
రొమ్ము క్యాన్సర్ అంటే రొమ్ము మొత్తం తీసేయాలా?Many women with early breast cancer can keep their breast.
Read the factsMyth #17 · TreatmentDoes every breast cancer need chemotherapy?
ప్రతి రొమ్ము క్యాన్సర్‌కూ కీమోథెరపీ తప్పదా?Not every breast cancer needs chemotherapy. Treatment is matched to the cancer.
Read the factsMyth #18 · TreatmentHerbal remedies can cure breast cancer?
మూలికా మందులతో రొమ్ము క్యాన్సర్ నయమవుతుందా?No herbal remedy has been shown to cure breast cancer, and delay lets it grow.
Read the factsMyth #19 · Side effectsChemo means losing your hair forever?
కీమో వల్ల జుట్టు శాశ్వతంగా పోతుందా?Hair loss from chemotherapy is usually temporary, and not every treatment causes it.
Read the factsMyth #20 · Side effectsAfter breast cancer, no children?
రొమ్ము క్యాన్సర్ వచ్చాక పిల్లలు పుట్టరా?Many women can still have children after breast cancer, especially if fertility is discussed before treatment.
Read the factsMyth #21 · SurvivorshipBreast cancer, once treated, never comes back?
ఒకసారి చికిత్స అయిపోతే రొమ్ము క్యాన్సర్ మళ్లీ రాదా?Breast cancer can come back, sometimes years later. Follow-up care matters.
Read the facts
Consulting atC.R. Reddy Cancer CenterC.R. Reddy Superspeciality HospitalLeela Mahal Road, Nellore