Wellness Café

Breast cancer: Separating fact from fiction

Nov 23, 2025

Despite decades of awareness campaigns, nearly half of all breast cancer cases are still found too late. Why? Because dangerous myths and misinformation continue to hold women back from seeking help. It’s time to cut through the noise. Early diagnosis offers hope, healing, and a future – but only if we act.

Fiction: Lumps equal cancer

Don’t avoid the doctor out of fear of bad news – eight out of 10 breast lumps are not cancer. And, if it turns out to be “something”, early detection enables faster treatment.

Fiction: You’re only at risk if it’s in your family

Around 80% of women diagnosed don’t have relatives with breast cancer. Family history does increase the risk, especially with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, but it’s just one of many factors.

Fiction: Deodorant causes breast cancer

There’s no scientific evidence linking antiperspirants – or underwire bras, bumping your breast, carrying a cellphone in your bra or using hair dye – to breast cancer. Instead, focus on controlling known risk factors, like smoking, high alcohol intake, obesity and inactivity.

Fiction: Cup size predicts cancer risk

Any size breast can develop cancer. In fact, even men can get it. Tissue density does make a difference: denser breasts have a higher risk and are more challenging to scan.

Fiction: It only happens to older women

Risks rise over age 50, but younger women are increasingly being diagnosed. Doctors generally recommend mammograms from age 40, earlier for those with risk factors. And it’s never too early to start self-checks.

Fiction: Self-checks aren’t useful

Around 75% of breast tumours are first found during a self-exam. You know your body best – by combining your observations with medical testing, you better your chances of finding problems in time.

Learn how to do a breast self-check here.

TIP! The best time for a self-exam is one week after your period ends, or the 1^st of the month if you’re period free. The aim isn’t to “look for something”; it’s to become so familiar with your breasts that you swiftly notice changes.

Fiction: It’s not treatable

Thanks to improved medical treatments, up to 99% of women with early-stage diagnosis will survive for five or more years – almost a 30% improvement in 50 years. And new treatments continue to be developed, even for aggressive cancers.

Don’t let fear and misinformation stop you. Checks and regular scans are crucial – they could save your life.

Reference

CANSA

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