The following is an illuminating conversation between a doctor and a patient in which the doctor busts some common myths regarding breast cancer:
Patient: Hello Doctor! Thank you for seeing me today. I’ve been hearing all sorts of things regarding breast cancer and I don’t know which to believe. It would really help if you could clear some of my doubts!
Doctor: Absolutely! That’s what we’re here for. Please go ahead.
Patient: I recently heard that wearing an underwire bra can cause breast cancer. That’s kind of scary! Is it true?
Doctor: Oh, I’ve heard that too, but don’t worry – it’s a myth. Underwire bras can be uncomfortable, but there’s no scientific evidence that they cause breast cancer.
Patient: I’ve also heard people say that antiperspirants with aluminium can cause breast cancer.
Doctor: That’s another common myth. Antiperspirants with aluminium have been around for over a century, and there’s no data linking them to breast cancer.
Patient: That’s a relief! I’ve also been told that eating soy products can increase the risk because they contain phytoestrogens.
Doctor: That’s a big misunderstanding. While soy has phytoestrogens, studies show that eating soy products doesn’t increase the risk of breast cancer or interfere with treatments. But there are studies that say hormone replacement therapy (estrogen + progesterone) if taken for a long duration, may increase the cancer risk.
Patient: Good to know! I always thought breast cancer meant finding a lump.
Doctor: Not always! Some types, like inflammatory breast cancer, don’t present as a lump. Instead, they can cause skin changes or redness.
Patient: That’s scary. I guess that means we should look out for more than just lumps.
Doctor: Exactly! It can also present as nipple discharge, nipple retraction, swelling in the axilla and skin changes too, and did you know that breast cancer can happen to men too?
Patient: Really? I thought it only affected women!
Doctor: No. It’s rare, but men can develop breast cancer too. If they notice unusual changes in their breast, they should get them checked.
Patient: That’s surprising! And I always assumed breast cancer was mostly genetic.
Doctor: Actually, most cases — about 90 to 95% — aren’t hereditary. A family history can increase the risk, but most women diagnosed don’t have a genetic link.
Patient: You know, I always thought that if someone had cancer, they’d have to stay in the hospital all the time and wouldn’t be able to work or live normally.
Doctor: That’s actually a myth! Most people with cancer are treated on an outpatient basis, meaning they can stay at home and continue with their daily activities, including work.
Patient: That’s good to know! I also assumed cancer was always painful.
Doctor: Not necessarily. Some cancers never cause pain at all. It really depends on the type and stage of cancer.
Patient: I’ve also heard that surgery can cause cancer to spread. That sounds terrifying!
Doctor: That’s a common myth, but there’s no evidence that surgery spreads cancer. In fact, removing cancer surgically is often the first and most important step in treatment. So, delaying or refusing surgery because of this myth could be harmful.
Patient: What about needle biopsies? Some people say they can disturb cancer cells and make them spread.
Doctor: No, that’s another misconception. There’s no conclusive evidence that a needle biopsy causes cancer cells to spread. It’s actually a crucial procedure for diagnosing many types of cancers.
Patient: I see. And I used to think that everyone with the same cancer gets the same treatment.
Doctor: Not at all! Treatment is personalized. It depends on many factors, like where the cancer is, how much it has spread, and the person’s overall health. Doctors tailor treatments to each patient’s specific needs.
Patient: You know, I keep hearing people say that 5G or Wi-Fi can cause cancer. It makes me wonder — should we be worried?
Doctor: Actually, that’s a myth. 5G, like 4G, uses radio waves, which are non-ionizing radiation. That means they don’t have enough energy to damage DNA or cause cancer. It’s only high-energy radiation, like UV rays, that can harm DNA.
Patient: Oh, that’s good to know! What about microwaves? Some people say standing in front of one can be dangerous.
Doctor: Another myth! Microwaves don’t make your food radioactive, and it’s perfectly safe to stand in front of a microwave while it’s on. What matters more for cancer risk is what you eat, not how you heat your food.
Patient: That makes sense. I’ve also heard that an acidic diet can cause cancer and that an alkaline diet can cure it. Is there any truth to that?
Doctor: No; our kidneys regulate our body’s pH levels, so what we eat doesn’t really change our internal acidity in any meaningful way. Extra acid or alkali just comes out in our urine. So, eating alkaline foods won’t prevent or cure cancer, and eating acidic foods won’t cause it.
Patient: Wow, so many food-related myths! Here’s another question: Does cancer treatment kill faster than it helps? I’ve heard people say chemotherapy is worse than the disease itself.
Doctor: Chemo can have tough side effects, but doctors only recommend cancer treatments when they believe it gives the best chance of survival. The goal is always to fight the cancer, not harm the patient.
Patient: That’s reassuring. Oh! What about microwaving food in plastic containers? People say it releases harmful, cancer-causing chemicals.
Doctor: It’s only unsafe if you use plastics that aren’t microwave-safe. Containers labeled for microwave use don’t pose a threat. So, as long as you’re using the right kind of plastic, you’re fine.
Patient: Another thing I’ve always wondered — does sugar feed cancer? Should people with cancer avoid sugar completely?
Doctor: That’s a common misconception. All our cells, including cancer cells, use glucose for energy. But eating sugar doesn’t make cancer grow faster, and cutting out sugar won’t slow it down. What matters the more is overall diet and nutrition.
Patient: That’s really interesting! Oh, and one last thing — cancer isn’t contagious, right?
Doctor: Definitely not! You can’t catch cancer from someone else, so there’s no reason to avoid people who have it. In fact, when diagnosed with cancer, patients need support more than ever.
Patient: That makes so much sense. Thank you so much for clarifying all this — I feel so much more informed now!
Doctor: We are always happy to help. It’s important to separate myths from facts. The more we understand, the better we can take care of ourselves and support cancer patients and survivors as well.
