I contacted Dr. William Gradishar, an oncologist who works at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago. I wanted to know the answers to ten questions that are frequently asked concerning breast cancer. He responds to concerns regarding the potential causes of breast cancer and provides information regarding treatment options.1
Does taking birth control pills increase the risk of developing breast cancer?
A: There does not appear to be a definite increase in risk associated with the use of birth control tablets and an increased risk of breast cancer.2 Although birth control pills do include certain hormones, only trace levels of those hormones are present in the pill. Because each woman and breast cancer case is unique, women need to discuss their risk factors for breast cancer with the medical professionals who care for them.
The consumption of certain foods may increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
A: There have been several extensive research done looking into the connection between certain diets and breast cancer. It has not been determined, as of yet, whether there is a connection between certain foods and breast cancer. A few studies have suggested that there may be a connection between obesity and breast cancer; however, additional investigation is still required.3 Consuming a diet that is high in fiber fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains is recommended as the best way to maintain good health and achieve optimal weight loss. Before beginning any kind of diet or nutrition routine, you absolutely must consult with your primary care physician or another qualified medical professional.
Q: Do all antiperspirants induce breast cancer?
It does not appear that antiperspirants are a factor in the development of breast cancer.4 Recent reports have been going around suggesting that the body needs to get rid of pollutants via sweating through the armpits and that if an antiperspirant is used, the body would store those toxins in the lymph nodes below the arm, which will lead to breast cancer. These claims have been going about for quite some time. These assertions are not true; the body does not excrete poisons through sweating in the underarms. The sweat that accumulates in the armpits is composed almost entirely of water, along with little amounts of salt, potassium, and magnesium.
If I hurt my breast, would that increase my risk of getting breast cancer?
A: A breast injury does not lead to the development of breast cancer. After suffering an injury, the breast may become bruised, and in extremely rare instances, it may grow a tumor that is not malignant and is known as fat necrosis. Necrosis of the fat tissue is not harmful, and the symptoms typically disappear within a month. If you feel a lump in your breast and are afraid that it may be breast cancer, you should make an appointment with your primary care physician as soon as possible.
Does wearing a bra with underwires increase the risk of developing breast cancer?
The usage of a bra with underwires does not increase the risk of developing breast cancer.5 It was argued in a famous book that came out in 1995 that underwire bras compress the lymph node system of the body, which in turn causes breast cancer. This allegation should not be believed. Studies have been conducted, however, none of them have revealed a connection between certain undergarments and breast cancer.
The question at hand is: Can mammograms bring on breast cancer?
No, mammograms do not increase the risk of developing breast cancer. The American Cancer Society advises that women who are over the age of 40 or 44 get a mammography once per year up to the age of 55, after which they should get one once every two years.6
Mammograms expose patients to extremely low doses of radiation, which have been deemed safe for human exposure by the American College of Radiology. Mammograms are an excellent method for diagnosing breast cancer at an early stage, which is critical for lowering the percentage of women who progress to stage IV breast cancer, often known as metastatic breast cancer. Because each woman and breast cancer case is unique, women need to discuss their risk factors for breast cancer with the medical professionals who care for them. Mammograms are recommended for women over the age of 40 who have a high risk of developing breast cancer. However, in certain circumstances, a mammogram may be performed earlier.
If I have fibrocystic breasts, does that mean that I have an increased risk of developing breast cancer?
A disorder known as fibrocystic breasts will affect the lives of almost half of all women at some point during their lifetimes.7 Fibrocystic breasts are extremely frequent and do not result from malignancy. Fibrocystic breasts are not associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer. They do make detection more challenging using conventional methods of imaging and examination, but it is still not impossible.
If a breast has cancer and it needs to be removed surgically, would the cancer then spread?
A: We say that breast cancer has metastasized when it has spread to other parts of the body. No evidence removing a breast during breast cancer treatment increases the risk of the disease spreading to other parts of the body (metastasis), even though no one knows what causes breast cancer to metastasize.
Breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body is called metastatic breast cancer. There are a variety of therapeutic choices available today for women who are diagnosed with this disease, including chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, and targeted therapy. These three types of treatment continue to play an important role in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. It is essential for women who have this disease to discuss their treatment choices with their primary care physicians or other medical professionals.
Is it true that only women who have gone through menopause are at risk for breast cancer?
Breast cancer can strike a woman at any age, thus the answer is no. Because the likelihood of a woman having breast cancer increases with age, women aged 40 and older need to undergo a mammogram every year. Breast self-exams are not required for women over the age of 20 according to the American Cancer Society; however, the organization does advise that women become comfortable with how their breasts generally appear and feel. Whenever a woman notices a change in her breasts, she should get in touch with her healthcare professional as soon as possible. Early identification is essential for improving one's chances of surviving cancer and lowering the likelihood that the disease would metastasize (spread).
How likely am I to get breast cancer if there is no history of it in my family?
However, more than 80 percent of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer do not have any known risk factors for breast cancer, such as a family history of the disease. A family history of breast cancer does raise the risk of developing breast cancer.8
William Gradishar, Doctor of Medicine
William Gradishar, MD is a professor of medicine at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago. His specialty is hematology and medical oncology, and he teaches students in both of those areas. His work at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University, which he is a part of, has been focused on developing new and improved treatments for breast cancer. He has devoted his entire life to this endeavor. He has collaborated with the government and advocacy organizations to bring breast cancer to the forefront so that women and families who are coping with the disease can receive the assistance they require in the here and now and look forward to the promise the future holds.