According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2020, breast cancer claimed 685,000 lives, and 2.3 million people were diagnosed with it. 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 most widespread cancer in the world.”
Its prevalence might be why so many myths surround it. Here, we’ll clear up 15 of the most common misconceptions.
To help separate fact from fiction, we spoke with three experts:
- Dr. Michael Zeidman, an assistant professor of breast surgery at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
- Dr. Crystal Fancher, a 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., the medical director of breast imaging at MemorialCare Breast Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA.
1. A breast injury can cause breast cancer
“Injuries to the breast don’t cause cancer,” Dr. Zeidman explained, “but they can cause changes that look like cancer on imaging.”
“This is called ‘fat necrosis,’” he continued. “On a mammogram, it can appear as an irregular mass with jagged edges—similar to breast cancer. The best way to tell the difference is with a needle biopsy.”
2. Underwire bras increase the risk of breast cancer
While underwire bras don’t raise breast cancer risk, Dr. Zeidman still advises against them. He says:
“The wire can irritate the skin under the breast, leading to breakdown. This can let bacteria in, causing infection, abscess, or both.”
3. IVF increases the risk of breast cancer
During in vitro fertilization (IVF), doctors prescribe drugs that stimulate egg production by mimicking estrogen. Some experts wondered if this could fuel estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer (cancers with estrogen receptors on their cells).
“There haven’t been randomized controlled trials on this,” Dr. Zeidman noted, *”but a recent meta-analysis of 30 years of observational studies found no increased breast cancer risk in women who took ovarian stimulation drugs compared to the general population.”*
4. No one in my family had breast cancer, so I won’t develop it
Dr. Zeidman hears this often: “Many newly diagnosed patients tell me how shocked they are because they have no family history.”
His response? “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 about 5–10% of breast cancers are linked to inherited genetic mutations. The majority are sporadic, with no hereditary cause.”
Since family history is just one factor, screening is crucial. Dr. Reitherman emphasized:
“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 earlier screening.”
Dr. Zeidman also stressed: “If you’re a woman over 40, please get your mammograms!”
5. Being stressed can cause breast cancer
With today’s constant stress, many worry about its health effects. But Dr. Zeidman clarified:
“There’s zero evidence linking stress to breast cancer. In fact, studies show it doesn’t increase risk.”
That said, managing stress is still important for overall health: “Finding healthy ways to cope with stress has mental and physical benefits—but it won’t lower breast cancer risk.”
6. A healthy lifestyle eliminates breast cancer risk
“While overweight postmenopausal women have a higher risk, nothing can fully eliminate breast cancer risk,” Dr. Zeidman said. “Even women who’ve had double mastectomies can still develop new cancers.”
But he’s not endorsing unhealthy habits: “Don’t start smoking or eating fast food daily. Take care of your body—you only get one. But even elite athletes get breast cancer.”
7. Breast cancer only happens to older adults
“Risk does increase with age, and the average diagnosis age is 61,” Dr. Zeidman said, “but breast cancer can strike much earlier. About 5% of cases are in women under 40, and there are rare cases in women in their early 20s or even teens—usually with a strong family history.”
“If you have a high lifetime risk due to family history, you may qualify for genetic testing and early screening starting at 25.”
Dr. Fancher added: “Though rare in younger people, always report concerning breast changes to your doctor and follow screening guidelines.”
8. All lumps in the breast signal breast cancer
Not true—most breast lumps are benign. Dr. Zeidman explained: “The majority of new lumps aren’t cancer. And if you’ve had a recent normal mammogram, the odds are even better.”
Still, he urged: “Any new lump should be checked by a doctor.”
9. Having an abortion increases the risk of breast cancer
“This question comes up because breast cancer risk is tied to estrogen exposure, and abortion interrupts pregnancy’s hormonal cycle,” Dr. Zeidman said.
“We can’t do randomized trials, but a large Danish study of 1.5 million women found no link. Other major studies agree.”
10. Carrying a phone in your bra can cause cancer
“No evidence supports that phones cause cancer,” Dr. Zeidman stated. “But we lack long-term studies, so who knows? For now, just keep your phone in your pocket or bag.”
11. Nipple piercings increase breast cancer risk
“They don’t raise cancer risk,” Dr. Zeidman said, “but they can cause infections, abscesses, scarring, nerve damage, or even HIV/hepatitis exposure. I don’t recommend them—but if you have one, consider removing it.”
12. Sugar causes breast cancer
“Sugar is best avoided—it’s addictive, causes mood swings, spikes insulin, and promotes inflammation, leading to heart disease and diabetes. Obesity from excess sugar is a breast cancer risk factor,” Dr. Zeidman explained.
“Studies on sugar and breast cancer are mixed, but cutting added sugar is wise for overall health.”
He also debunked a related myth—that sugar feeds tumors: “No solid proof, but I still say skip added sugar when possible.”
13. Men do not get breast cancer
“Men have breasts, so yes, they get breast cancer too,” Dr. Zeidman said. “In fact, 1% of U.S. breast cancer cases are in men.”
The CDC reported 2,300 male cases and 500 deaths in 2017.
Dr. Fancher noted: “Though rare, men should check for lumps, pain, or changes—there’s no screening guideline for them.”
Dr. Reitherman added: “The BRCA2 mutation raises risk significantly in men.”
14. Mammograms cause breast cancer to spread
“Patients often worry that mammogram compression or biopsies spread cancer,” Dr. Zeidman said. “Zero evidence supports this.”
Dr. Reitherman agreed: “Mammograms use minimal radiation—no link to causing cancer.”
15. If there is no lump, there is no cancer
“If that were true, we wouldn’t need mammograms,” Dr. Zeidman said. *”They catch cancer before it’s palpable. Early detection (stage 1) means near-100% survival. Some cancers spread without ever forming a lump.”*
Dr. Fancher added: “Many cancers are found on mammograms before they’re felt—like ductal carcinoma in situ, which may only show as calcifications.”
The takeaway
Breast cancer is common. While a healthy lifestyle helps, early detection saves lives. The sooner it’s caught, the better the outcome.