This week's topic is Myths and Facts About the Risk of Developing Breast Cancer, with content courtesy of the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations.

Myth: Breast cancer is preventable.
Fact: There is no known way to prevent breast cancer, and the cause of the disease has not been determined. Early detection followed by prompt treatment offers the best chance to treat breast cancer successfully.

Myth: Only women get breast cancer.
Fact: In 1998, 1,600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and 400 will die of the disease. The numbers for women are 178,700 and 43,500, respectively.

Myth: Only women with known "risk factors" get breast cancer.
Fact: Over 70 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no identifiable "risk factors." All women are at risk, and risk increases with age.

Myth: Only women with a family history of breast cancer are at risk.
Fact: The majority of women with breast cancer have no family history of the disease. A woman whose mother, sister, daughter, or grandmother had breast cancer has an increased risk of developing the disease. These women should be screened earlier and possibly more often.

Myth: Breast cancer is contagious.
Fact: Cancer is not a communicable disease. It results from uncontrolled growth of cells in a person's own body. These changes cannot affect other people's cells.

Myth: Small-breasted women cannot get breast cancer.
Fact: The amount of breast tissue a woman has does not affect her risk of developing breast cancer.

Myth: Breast feeding causes/protects against breast cancer.
Fact: No studies have shown that breast feeding causes breast cancer. Some studies have even suggested that breast feeding may reduce a women's risk of developing the disease. However, studies are still ongoing on this topic. A woman who breast feeds her children can still get breast cancer.

Myth: Only white women get breast cancer.
Fact: Every woman is at risk for breast cancer, regardless of race or socioeconomic status. African-American women have a higher mortality rate from breast cancer than white women. Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer death for African-American women.

Myth: Knowing you have the BRCA1-BCRA2 gene means you can prevent breast cancer.
Fact: Nothing can prevent breast cancer. About five percent of women in the United states who have breast cancer are thought to carry the mutant BRCA1 gene. Women who carry this gene have an 85 percent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. Researchers have developed a screening test to allow these women to be identified. Once they are identified, they will need to be closely monitored by their doctors.

Myth: Prophylactic mastectomies protect breast cancer in high risk women.
Fact: In a prophylactic mastectomy the surgeon removes breasts with no cancer, however, some of a woman's breast tissue remains. Breast tissue extends up towards the neck, the armpits, and the chest wall. Risk of developing breast cancer remains as long as there is breast tissue in the body.

Myth: A diagnosis of LCIS means you will definitely develop breast cancer.
Fact: Women with lobular carcinoma in-situ (LCIS) have an up to 30 percent risk of developing breast cancer in either breast over 30 years. Prophylactic mastectomy does not prevent the development of breast cancer. Women with LCIS should be monitored with frequent breast exams by their doctor and have yearly mammograms.

Continue with part 3 of Myths and Facts about the detection of Breast Cancer.

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