Common misconceptions leading to delays in early diagnosis of breast cancer
Certain stereotypes and misinformation believed to be true in society can cause women to postpone their breast cancer screenings.
Certain misconceptions accepted as true regarding breast cancer in society can pave the way for women to postpone their check-ups and miss opportunities for early diagnosis. Experts state that replacing these common misconceptions with facts is of vital importance.
Family History and Risk Factors
It is known that not every woman diagnosed with breast cancer has a history of this disease in her family. Although genetic factors can increase the risk, this disease can occur even if there are no cancer cases in the family at all.
Mass and Pain Relationship
Every mass that appears in the breast needs to be examined regardless of whether it is painful or not. While early-stage breast cancers generally do not cause pain, complaints of pain mostly stem from benign causes.
Imaging and Mammography Fallacy
Mammography is a safe method that plays a critical role in early diagnosis using low-dose X-rays. Postponing examinations out of fear of radiation can pose a major risk, and a person's self-examination does not replace imaging.
Biopsy and Treatment Processes
The belief that the biopsy procedure used for definitive diagnosis in suspicious lesions spreads cancer does not reflect scientific reality. Furthermore, in today's surgical methods, it is not mandatory to remove the entire breast in every patient.