Let’s Debunk those Breast & Cervical Cancer Myths
It is Health Information week. To help continue our mission of looking after women from top to bottom, we have teamed up with our partnered charities CoppaFeel! and Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, to help debunk the myths around Breast and Cervical Cancer.
Breast Cancer Can Affect Any Body
Many people think that breast cancer is something that only affects older women of mammogram age, but CoppaFeel! are here to educate and empower everyone to be aware of the signs and symptoms and get to know their bodies.
There are a lot of misconceptions about breast cancer, so let’s dive in!
“As a young person, breast cancer would never affect me”’: in females aged 25-49, breast cancer is the most common cancer, accounting for more than 4 in 10 (44%) of all cases in 2014-2016, so whilst being diagnosed when you are younger is rare, it is always worth being aware of your chest and regularly checking.
“If I find something whilst I am checking, it will be cancer”: if you go to the doctor because you are worried about something that isn’t normal for you, in 90% of cases, it won’t lead to a breast cancer diagnosis.
“Most breast cancer cases are genetic”: whilst you might hear of breast cancer being caused by a mutation of the BRCA gene, fewer than 1 in 100 breast cancers are actually caused by this.
“Breast cancer doesn’t affect men”: everyone has breast tissue, regardless of your gender. Around 400 men are diagnosed every year. Most men who get breast cancer are over 60, but it can occur in young men too (though this is rare). You can read more about breast cancer in men.
“If I have mammograms, I don’t need to check my chest”: even if you go for your regular mammograms when you are called up for them (for most people that’s when you’re over the age of 50), it’s still really important to check yourself regularly so you can monitor what’s normal for you. Read more about breast screening.
“My lifestyle can reduce my risk of breast cancer”: there are lots of things we can do to keep healthy and reduce our risk of all cancers. These include drinking lots of water, exercising, cutting back on alcohol, stopping smoking and eating a balanced diet. And of course, getting to know your chest! For more detailed information about how lifestyle factors affect your risk of breast cancer, Cancer Research UK has more information.
Common Breast Cancer Myths Explained
There is a lot of information out there about breast cancer, and everyone’s experience and diagnosis is different. Some headlines in the news about breast cancer can be scary and they are not always accurate, so CoppaFeel! has a section that busts a few common breast cancer myths.
- Deodorant: there is no evidence that deodorant causes breast cancer. Whatever deodorant you use, it will not increase your risk of breast cancer.
- Mobile phones: Mobile phones are relatively new, so there is no long term evidence about their lasting effects. However, the best research says that mobile phones do not cause cancer. The radio waves from mobile phones in the UK are too weak to cause cancer. 4G and 5G transmit radio waves too, but they are also too weak to cause cancer. CoppaFeel! recommend you do not keep your phone in your bra, but only for your own comfort!
- Bras: Wearing an underwired bra will not increase your risk of breast cancer. Wearing the wrong size bra will not increase your risk of breast cancer. Wearing a bra is a choice. It’s up to you what you wear. If you choose to wear a bra, you will be more comfortable in a bra that fits well. Whatever you choose will not increase your risk of breast cancer.
- Breast implants: There are risks involved with all surgery, and there are risks involved with all implants (prosthesis). However, there is no evidence that breast implants increase your risk of breast cancer. If you do have breast implants, you should still be checking your chest regularly.
CoppaFeel! are here to help
CoppaFeel! can help with any more questions you might have around breast cancer, how to check and all things early detection (it really can save lives.) Head to their health information pages on coppafeel.org.
Common Cervical Cancer Myths around HPV
Did you know that when you attend your cervical screening (smear test), you’re being tested for human papillomavirus (HPV)?
HPV is an extremely common virus that’s spread through skin-to-skin contact. Most people will get HPV at some point in their lives, and it usually goes away without causing any problems.
There are over 200 types of HPV, and 14 of these are known as high-risk HPV. This is because they are linked to some cancers. That is why attending cervical screening is so important – as it can help stop cancer before it starts.
Is HPV Rare?
Quite the opposite. It’s actually really common, so common in fact that four in every five people (80%) will have the virus at some point in their lives. This is why removing stigma around the virus is so important.
Is HPV always something to worry about?
There are over 200 types of HPV and the majority are nothing to worry about. This is why it is important to attend your cervical screening when invited, so that any cell changes can be caught before they get the chance to develop into cancer.
Will You Know If You Have HPV?
HPV normally has no signs or symptoms so it is very difficult to tell if someone has it. By attending your regular smear tests, high-risk HPV infection and any abnormalities caused by the infection can be identified and treated if needed.
Does the HPV Vaccine Mean you won’t get HPV?
If you’ve had the HPV vaccination you’re protected against at least 70% of cancer-causing HPV infections, but not fully protected. Attending smear tests is important whether you have been vaccinated or not, as it will detect abnormalities caused by other types of HPV.
Do Only Promiscuous People Get HPV?
You can get HPV the very first time you have sexual contact, so this is not true. HPV is passed on through skin-to-skin contact of the genital area, so anyone who has ever had any kind of sexual contact is at risk.
If you have had several sexual partners, or one of your partners has, you simply have a higher chance of having come into contact with the virus. However, because HPV is really common, you can get it even if you have only ever had one partner.
HPV can be inactive (dormant) in the body for many years – even decades! – So if you have a long-term partner and find out you have HPV, it does not mean they have been unfaithful.
If You Have HPV Will You Probably Get Cancer?
It is true that 99.7% of all cervical cancers are caused by HPV, but most people will clear HPV without any problem. In order to protect yourself you should make sure you attend your smear tests when invited, get the HPV vaccination if you are eligible, and make sure you know the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer. Do visit your GP if you are concerned.
If You Use Condoms Are You Safe From HPV?
No! Wearing condoms will reduce your risk of getting the virus. However, HPV can live on the skin in and around the whole genital area, which will not be covered by a condom, so it can be transmitted through sexual contact of any kind including any touching or genital to genital contact.
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust Here To Help
At Jo’s we hear from women and other people with a cervix every day who read that they have HPV on their cervical screening results letter, rush to Google it, and then panic when they read it is an STI. We want to challenge the stigma around HPV. While there are some similarities between HPV and some STIs, most of us will have HPV regardless of sexual behaviour. We believe that the level of stigma associated with the virus needs to change.
To find out more and for support please visit the Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust website - https://www.jostrust.org.uk/