Caring for women's health starts with understanding breast cancer

When it comes to cancer, we often receive a lot of information, prevention, treatment, identification, etc. Of course, most of it is correct, but some are exaggerated, which may mislead you and cause you unnecessary worries. Let me pick out these misunderstandings for you. It is very common for women of childbearing age to feel breast pain at certain times of the menstrual cycle, especially at certain moments before their cycle. If you are worried that breast pain may cause disease, no matter what age, you should see a doctor to make sure your breasts are in good condition.

1. If you feel a lump in your breast and feel pain in your breast, does that mean you have breast cancer?

Most breast lumps are not breast cancer. A lump that changes size based on the timing of your menstrual cycle may be due to fibrocystic disease. When you do a self-exam in both breasts, their location may feel similar. But just to be sure, if you feel a lump in your breast, see your doctor sooner rather than later.

2. If you don’t have any breast symptoms, does that mean you don’t have breast cancer?

Many people diagnosed with breast cancer have no symptoms. In addition to self-exams and annual breast exams, you should get regular mammograms if you are within the recommended age range for screening.

3. Does breast cancer mean you will have your breasts removed?

Not all breast cancer patients who choose surgery must have a complete mastectomy. Depending on the size of the breast tumor, different types of breast-conserving surgery may be possible. Many women with early-stage breast cancer can be effectively treated with surgical removal of the tumor, called a lumpectomy or a partial mastectomy.

Does breast cancer treatment mean you will lose your hair?

Chemotherapy drugs affect rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells, more than other cells. Because the hair follicles of your scalp and body skin contain rapidly dividing cells, some types of chemicals may damage them. Some chemotherapy drugs can cause complete hair loss. Other chemotherapy drugs may cause hair loss in some women. Some chemotherapy drugs are not associated with hair loss. And there are many different ways to treat breast cancer, and some people who are treated for breast cancer do not lose their hair.

5. Does breast cancer only happen to women?

Breast cancer is about 100 times more common in women than in men. Symptoms of male breast cancer include a lump under the nipple and color changes in the surrounding area. Men should perform regular self-exams. Due to a lack of awareness of male breast cancer, they often do not seek diagnosis right away, so the cancer may be more difficult to cure.