Let’s
COMMUNICATE INTERNAL NOTICE TO ALL STAFF • 28 October 2021
MYTHS VS
FACTS
ABOUT BREAST CANCER
MYTH
I am too young to get breast cancer/breast
cancer only happen to middle-aged and older
women
It doesn’t matter if I’m overweight/obese and
don’t exercise.
Only women with family history of breast
cancer are at risk.
I have never had children, so I can’t get breast
cancer.
Wearing a bra especially the underwire bra can
cause breast cancer.
Using underarm antiperspirant can cause
breast cancer.
Carrying your cell phone in your bra can cause
breast cancer.
Consuming too much sugar cause breast
cancer.
Annual mammograms guarantees that breast
cancer will be found early.
Breast cancer always causes a lump you can
feel.
Early stage breast cancer rarely recurs.
If breast cancer doesn’t come back within 5
years, it will never come back.
All breast cancer is treated pretty much well
the same way.
When treatment is over, you’re finished with
breast cancer.
The National breast cancer foundation recommend the following in order to reduce the
risk of breast cancer
Staying physically active: Physical activity
is linked with lowering breast cancer risk.
Maintaining a healthy weight: Both in-
creased body weight and weight gain as an
adult is linked with a higher risk of develop-
FACT
Many women who are under 40 are diagnosed
with breast cancer.
Being overweight and having low levels of physi-
cal activity adds to breast cancer risk especially
after menopause.
All women are risk, but family history increases
the risk.
Women who have never had children, or only
had them after 30, have increased risk of breast
cancer
There is no evidence that bra cause breast cancer.
The theory was that wearing a bra, especially an
underwire style could restrict the flow of lymph
fluid out of the breast causing toxic substance to
build up in the breast.
There is no evidence of a connection between
underarm antiperspirant and breast cancer, but
the safety of antiperspirant is still being studied.
There is no evidence of a connection between
cell phones and breast cancer, but safety of cell
phones is still being studied.
There is no evidence that sugar in the diet cause
breast cancer.
Although mammography is the best early
detection tool we have, it doesn’t always find
breast cancer at an early stage.
Breast cancer might not cause a lump, especially
when it first develops.
Even with early-stage breast cancer, there is
always some risk the cancer will return.
While it’s true that the risk of recurrence is
greatest in the first 2-5 years, later recurrences
can happen.
Treatment plans vary widely depending on the
characteristics of cancer and patient preferences.
Breast cancer can have a long term impact on
people’s lives and well-being.
ing breast cancer after menopause.
Do not smoke: Smoking has shown a high-
er risk of breast cancer in younger, premeno-
pausal women.
Eating fruits and vegetables: Many studies
have shown that a diet high in vegetables
and fruit, and low in red meat, can lower the
risk of breast cancer.
Limiting alcohol intake: Even small
amounts of alcohol have been linked with
an increased risk.
Early detection is key
Do monthly breast examinations
Don’t keep it to yourself once you are told
you have breast cancer. Support is neces-
sary. Employee Wellness is willing to walk
the path with you and will offer the neces-
sary professional help through the services
of the EAP. “We won’t know what you are
going through and the support you need
until you disclose or share your experiences”.
The Department through the Directorate
employee wellness and Cancer
Association of South Africa is currently
screening employees for prostate, breast
and cervical cancer in the following
selected Management Areas:
Upington: 18-22 October 2021
Thohoyandou: 26-27 October 2021
Rustenburg: 04-05 November 2021
Rooigrond: 08 November 2021
Only employees who have registered are
participating in the screenings and the
Department is covering the costs.
For more information please contact:
Licion Mashilo on 0646075205
Sub-Directorate: TB/HIV/AIDS &
Chronic Diseases
References
https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand-bc/myths-facts
https://w w w.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/risk-and-prevention/
breast-cancer-riskfactor-you-cannot-change.html.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2017.06.005.
https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/mammograms-fact-sheet.