What you don't know CAN hurt you! Arm yourself with the facts.

In the Western world breast cancer is one of the most feared diseases and in some countries as many as one of every six women die of this disease. There is no cure, only the removal of the affected breast and many women with minor lumps and cysts are often diagnosed as having breast cancer when they don't.

Yet even when a woman does have breast cancer and undergoes a mastectomy, there is no certainty that the cancer has been completely removed. But, if she lives for five years post surgery, the treatment is listed as a statistical cure even if she dies from that same cancer the day after those five years have passed.

Here are some common myths and misconceptions about breast cancer:

Myth:
Only women get breast cancer.

Fact:
Though far less common than in women, it is possible for men to develop breast cancer. In a study, it is estimated that in the USA alone some 1,400 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 400 will die.

Myth:
Only women with a family history of breast cancer are at risk.

Fact:
While a family history of breast cancer can mean that a woman is at higher than average risk of developing breast cancer, about 80% of women who get breast cancer have no known family history of the disease.

Myth:
Breast cancer only affects older women.

Fact:
While it's true that the risk of breast cancer increases as a woman grow older, breast cancer can occur at any age. As a woman's age increases, her risk of getting breast cancer also increases.

Myth:
Breast cancer is a communicable disease (spreads by air, drinking from the same cup as someone else, etc.).

Fact:
This is false, breast cancer is not contagious.

Myth:
Finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer.

Fact:
In general, 80% of lumps are caused by benign (non-cancerous) changes in the breast. It is still important for women to report any breast abnormality to their physician. Early detection always is the best form of prevention.

Myth:
Wearing a bra is good for your breasts and may help prevent cancer.

Fact:
Women who wear tight-fitting bras 24 hours a day are 125 times more likely to have breast cancer than women who do not wear bras at all.

Myth:
Using antiperspirants causes breast cancer.

Fact:
There is growing evidence that the active ingredients in many popular antiperspirants increases the risk of breast cancer risk.

Myth:
Birth control pills cause breast cancer.

Fact:
Though oral contraceptives do contain small amounts of estrogen and progesterone (hormones often linked with increased risk over time), the amount of these hormones is too small to be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer

Myth:
Mammography is 100% accurate in early breast cancer detection.

Fact:
Mammography until recently was the most accurate screening tool for best cancer and it's estimated that mammography may detect 80% to 90% of all breast cancers but, it may also spread breast cancer. New ultrasound technology though limited in its availability now offers an improved solution and regular self examination is vital.

Myth:
Drinking coffee increases a woman's risk of breast cancer.

Opinion - not a proven fact:
Coffee does not cause breast cancer, and in several studies with rats, coffee has been shown to actually prevent cancer but other research disputes this.

Myth:
A vegetarian diet reduces the chance of breast cancer

Fact
This is true, overall vegetarians are healthier and live longer than the general population.

Myth:
Massage reduces the chance of breast cancer

Fact
This is true, by spending a few minutes massaging one's breasts two or three times per week helps to clear the breasts of any toxins that could trigger a cancer to form. This also develops a more acute awareness of the texture and shape of the breasts so that any changes would be detected very early..