Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Busting Myths and Eliminating Fears Around Mammograms
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is more than just awareness; it’s action. This October, take control of your breast health by knowing your personal risk, talking with your loved ones about breast cancer, and getting your annual mammogram. Several misconceptions about breast cancer can spread fear and uncertainty, but the fact is: early detection saves lives. Casper Medical Imaging & Outpatient Radiology are here to provide peace of mind by debunking some common myths about breast cancer and eliminating fears around mammograms.
Myth: An injury to the breast can cause breast cancer.
Fact: Breast injuries do not cause breast cancer. If a breast cancer diagnosis follows an injury, it is simply because the injury drew attention to a breast lump that was already there.
Myth: Breast cancer only affects middle-aged or older women.
Fact: While the rate of breast cancer increases with age, the truth is that, while age is the most significant risk factor, and the majority of cases are in older women, breast cancer can and does affect women of all ages, including those under 45. All women should have a risk assessment by age 30.
Myth: Only women with a family history have a higher risk of breast cancer.
Fact: 75% of women diagnosed have no family history. Other risk factors for breast cancer include genetic tendency, dense breasts, and past breast cancer.
Myth: Women with bigger breasts have a higher risk of breast cancer.
Fact: No connection between breast size and cancer risk exists. However, obesity and dense breasts can both increase the risk of breast cancer.
Myth: Breast pain is a definite sign of breast cancer.
Fact: Breast pain is not usually a sign of breast cancer, though it should not be ruled out completely. The most common symptom, according to the American Cancer Society, is a new breast lump, though most lumps themselves are not cancerous or painful. Other potential symptoms can include swelling, changes in the nipple or skin, discharge, swollen lymph nodes, and, occasionally, breast or nipple pain.
Myth: Eating sugar can cause breast cancer.
Fact: Eating too much of any food can contribute to weight gain, obesity, and health issues, which can in turn increase breast cancer risk, but there is no direct link between sugar and breast cancer.
Now that these common myths have been debunked, CMI & OPR want to help women overcome the following common fears around mammograms so they can take control of their breast health:
- Pain and discomfort: Outpatient Radiology now has the latest and most advanced technology, with units designed to prioritize patient comfort. With increased quality and decreased time in compression, patients find their mammogram experience at OPR to be quick and easy.
- The results: No matter what, our team at OPR helps you find peace of mind. We offer lifetime risk assessments, tailored specifically to each patient, so patients know where they stand with their breast health. Our team also provides supplemental imaging when you need further information to guide next steps.
- Previous experiences: Women who have had false positives in the past may feel particularly anxious about undergoing another mammogram. It’s important to remember that most callbacks do not indicate cancer. Our team uses compression to reduce callbacks; however, they are often helpful in determining if it is just tissue overlapping, and a better look inside the glandular tissue is required to ensure it is not obscuring a cancerous mass.
- General anxiety around mammograms: Someone from our team is always available to address any questions or concerns you may have before your mammogram exam. Our goal is to provide high-quality imaging and a great, trusting experience with our team. Our priority is always your comfort, so we ensure you return confidently each year for your screenings.
Take control of your breast health by getting your annual mammogram and remind your loved ones to schedule theirs with Casper Medical Imaging & Outpatient Radiology, where we put comfort and compassion first.
Annual screening mammograms can be self-scheduled online anytime, or patients can request an appointment at https://caspermedicalimaging.net/request-an-appointment/.