According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2020, breast cancer claimed the lives of 685,000 people, while 2.3 million received a diagnosis. They reported:
“By the end of 2020, there were 7.8 million women alive who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the past five years, making it the world’s most common cancer.”
Its widespread nature might explain why so many myths surround it. Here, we’ll debunk 15 of the biggest misconceptions.
To get the facts straight, we spoke with three experts:
- Dr. Michael Zeidman: Assistant professor of breast surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
- Dr. Crystal Fancher: Surgical breast oncologist at the Margie Petersen Breast Center at Providence Saint John’s Health Center and assistant professor of surgery at the Saint John’s Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, CA.
- Dr. Richard Reitherman, Ph.D.: Medical director of breast imaging at the MemorialCare Breast Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA.
1. A breast injury can cause breast cancer
“Injuring your breast doesn’t cause cancer,” Dr. Zeidman clarified. “But it can cause changes that look like cancer on imaging.”
“This is called ‘fat necrosis,'” he added. “On a mammogram, it can appear as an irregular mass with jagged edges—similar to cancer. The best way to tell the difference is with a needle biopsy.”
2. Underwire bras increase breast cancer risk
While underwire bras don’t raise your risk, Dr. Zeidman still advises against them. He explains:
“The wire can irritate the skin under the breast, leading to breakdown. This can let bacteria in, causing infections or abscesses.”
3. IVF increases breast cancer risk
During in vitro fertilization (IVF), doctors prescribe drugs that stimulate egg production by mimicking estrogen.
Some experts wondered if these drugs could fuel estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer (cancer cells with estrogen receptors).
“While no randomized trials have answered this,” Dr. Zeidman said, *”a meta-analysis of 30 years of studies found no increased risk from ovarian stimulation drugs compared to the general population.”*
4. No family history means no breast cancer
“Many patients tell me they’re shocked by their diagnosis because they have no family history,” Dr. Zeidman shared.
“But most breast cancer patients I see have no risk factors. The biggest risk factor? Being a woman. In the U.S., 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.”
Dr. Fancher added: “Only 5–10% of breast cancers come from inherited genetic mutations. Most are sporadic—no hereditary cause.”
Since family history is just one factor, screening is crucial. Dr. Reitherman explained:
“All women should start yearly mammograms at 40, regardless of family history. Those with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer should see a genetics counselor by 30—they may need early screening.”
Dr. Zeidman stressed: “If you’re a woman 40 or older, get your mammograms!”
5. Stress causes breast cancer
With modern life’s constant stress, many worry about its health effects. But Dr. Zeidman reassured:
“There’s zero evidence linking stress to breast cancer. In fact, studies show it doesn’t increase risk.”
That said, managing stress matters: “Finding healthy ways to cope benefits mental and physical health—but it won’t change breast cancer risk.”
6. A healthy lifestyle eliminates breast cancer risk
“While postmenopausal overweight women have higher risk, nothing can fully eliminate it,” Dr. Zeidman said. “Even women who’ve had double mastectomies can still develop new cancers.”
But he’s not saying to “smoke and eat fast food daily.”
“Take care of your body—you only get one. But even elite athletes get breast cancer.”
7. Only older adults get breast cancer
“Risk increases with age, and the average diagnosis is at 61,” Dr. Zeidman noted. “But 5% of cases are in women under 40. There are rare cases in teens and early 20s, often with strong family history.”
“If you have high lifetime risk, genetic testing and early screening (from 25) may be needed.”
Dr. Fancher added: “Though rare in younger people, report any breast changes and follow screening guidelines.”
8. All breast lumps mean cancer
“Most new lumps are benign,” Dr. Zeidman said. “If you’ve had a normal mammogram recently, the odds are even better.”
Still, he urged: “Any new lump should be checked by a doctor.”
9. Abortion increases breast cancer risk
“This question arises because estrogen exposure affects risk, and abortion interrupts pregnancy’s hormonal cycle,” Dr. Zeidman explained.
“A large Danish study (1.5 million women) found no link. Other big studies agree.”
10. Phones in bras cause cancer
“No evidence supports this,” Dr. Zeidman said. “But long-term studies are lacking. Why risk it? Just keep your phone in your bag or pocket.”
11. Nipple piercings raise breast cancer risk
“They don’t increase risk,” he said. “But they can cause infections, abscesses, scarring, nerve damage, or hepatitis/HIV exposure.”
“I advise against them. If you have one, consider removing it.”
12. Sugar causes breast cancer
“Sugar is best avoided—it’s addictive, causes mood swings, spikes insulin (promoting inflammation), and fuels obesity (a cancer risk factor),” Dr. Zeidman said.
“Studies on sugar and breast cancer are mixed. While no proof says sugar feeds tumors, I still recommend cutting added sugar for overall health.”
13. Men don’t get breast cancer
“Men have breasts, so yes, they get it too,” Dr. Zeidman said. “1% of U.S. breast cancer cases are in men. In 2017, 2,300 men were diagnosed, and 500 died.”
Dr. Fancher added: “Men should report any breast changes, as there’s no male screening guideline.”
Dr. Reitherman noted: “The BRCA2 mutation significantly raises risk in men.”
14. Mammograms spread cancer
“A common fear,” Dr. Zeidman said. “Some think compression or biopsies spread cancer. No evidence supports this.”
Dr. Reitherman agreed: “Mammograms use minimal radiation and don’t cause cancer.”
15. No lump = no cancer
“If true, we wouldn’t need mammograms,” Dr. Zeidman said. “They catch cancer before it’s palpable. Treating Stage 1 cancer has near 100% survival—rates drop as it advances. Some cancers spread without ever forming a lump.”
Dr. Fancher added: “Many cancers are found only on mammograms, like ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which may only show as calcifications.”
The Bottom Line
Breast cancer is common. While a healthy lifestyle helps, early detection saves lives. The sooner it’s caught, the better the outcome.