Health & beauty

10 Breast Cancer "Facts" You Shouldn't Believe

Do antiperspirants, hair straighteners, and birth control pills increase your odds of getting breast cancer? Here are the answers you've been looking for

October 12, 2011 | by Sharon J. Yi | 39 COMMENTS

Myth No. 4: Having an abortion increases your risk of getting breast cancer Fact: "What we know is that women who have had children and who have had full-term pregnancies have a reduced risk of getting breast cancer," says Birhiray. According to the "Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia," women who complete a first full-term pregnancy before turning 20 have half the risk of developing breast cancer as women whose first full-term pregnancy is after 30. "I believe some people have taken the opposite to also be true, meaning that if you don't complete a full-term [such as induced abortions or miscarriages], you're raising your risk of getting the disease," says Birhiray. "And there is no clear evidence that that is true."

SEE NEXT PAGE: Myth No. 5: Large breasts mean an increased risk of breast cancer

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This is great information

by EricaF123 Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at 07:30AM Report as inappropriate

I had no idea hair dyes have estrogen!

by sportimonki13 Monday, October 15, 2012 at 02:56AM Report as inappropriate

Wow! Some of what we might believe causes breast cancer sounds crazy! I, personally, love love love coffee so that would literally kill me if that did cause breast cancer. I have heard that the pill has some bad effects but im glad that breast cancer is not one of the effects. Antiperspirant? If that is true or might be true then we would have to come up with something really quick or a lot of people would be rather smelly! =)

by danny54f Friday, October 12, 2012 at 07:38AM Report as inappropriate

Important information to share with my friends.

by lilas Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at 01:47PM Report as inappropriate

Cool article for the "Ta Tas". 8-)

by DatThao Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at 01:23PM Report as inappropriate

The most common and studied truth about antiperspirant is that is has parabens, which have been linked to almost 100% of breast cancer cases.

by jackie_stabach Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at 06:10AM Report as inappropriate

Wonderful article! This is a nice tie in to Breast Cancer Awareness month. It is refreshing to see that much of what we are told to worry about actually doesn't carry any weight.

by HeathRene Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 04:25PM Report as inappropriate

Wow I didn't even know these were rumors - but so scary!

by schien Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 03:11PM Report as inappropriate

Very good info!

by yestfl Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 01:55PM Report as inappropriate

Wish you included some facts too...

by Pinky5 Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 01:25PM Report as inappropriate

I do think it's important to very clearly differentiate between lack of proof and proof against something, which I'm not sure this article emphasizes enough. There's a pretty big difference between "The jury is still out, but the origin of this 'fact' is iffy" and "There's been tons of research on this and we're pretty sure it's not true."

by KarasuSparkle Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 09:04AM Report as inappropriate

very interesting information

by LittleBunny Sunday, October 7, 2012 at 11:12AM Report as inappropriate

good to know... some of these myths i've never even heard before...

by charlize_adrienne Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 11:54PM Report as inappropriate

Very informational article.

by hananoire Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 04:03PM Report as inappropriate

Thank you for the information...I did think deodorants contributed to a higher breast cancer risk and was relieved to see it is a myth.

by powerwoman033 Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 04:44PM Report as inappropriate

I've never even heard of some of these. French Fries??? Seems like everything causes breast cancer.

by msbrown822 Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 03:31PM Report as inappropriate

it was good until they said that underwire bras dont contribute to breast cancer because there isnt enough evidence. find enough evidence that it doesnt and then I'll be convinced. and, also, i read its not just the underwire bras but padded bras and bras that are too tight that clog the lymphatic system which may end up in cancer. sounds like a more probable cause than eating french fries and drinking coffee. I hope they find out for sure if bras cause breast cancer before other people go around stating it doesnt because there's not enough evidence. get enough evidence first and then state the facts so this article isn't misconstrued on opinion

by talecon Friday, October 28, 2011 at 07:45PM Report as inappropriate

Can you just stay with one topic. I'm clicking all over the place for the last four myths. I don't want to read of lot of remarks from other women. Just offer the facts, in this case the myths, and perhaps some facts, them comments. This is too important of an issue for black women who avoid doctors appointments, give us something we can sink our teeth into, so that we will know when we should be concerned. I'm not passing this on to anyone in my contacts, because they're not shallow enough to find this interesting. Don't send me anything that isn't fact based. Save the opinions, unless they're on fact, you know what they say about opinions. Hannah

by Ms.Smokeyx64 Friday, October 28, 2011 at 11:15AM Report as inappropriate

And by the way, a study that came out this year in the Journal of Applied Toxicology said that the "mean level of aluminum in nipple aspirate fluid was significantly higher in breast cancer-affected women compared to healthy women", which indicates that there IS a link between your antiperspirant and breast cancer.

by AEC607 Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 09:20PM Report as inappropriate

With all things considered, I give my body a break from hair dye,deodorant when not in public,wearing bras,and so on. no one really knows,so when you can let your body functions as close to natural when possible.

by amgo.db Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 02:19PM Report as inappropriate

suppression of the real truth does not endear you to you public and customers

by lastone4me Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 07:59AM Report as inappropriate

A lack of definitive studies linking various beauty products to breast cancer does not elevate these concerns to the status of "myth." The reality is that very little research has been conducted, and you can't conclude anything from one study - or even two. And the research thus far is weak at best. I think it's irresponsible of this author to discount links between beauty products and women's health problems as "myths." Keeping us informed is helpful - giving us a false sense of security is not.

by hobbitmama Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at 09:55PM Report as inappropriate

YOU ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE. MAKE YOUR LIST IN ONE PLACE NOT 20

by toby_zimmerman Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at 05:39PM Report as inappropriate

Disappointing report, of course breast cancer is caused by birth control pills. They have high levels of estrogen in them. Such a shame that the people who profit from these things manage to suppress the truth.

by AEC607 Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at 02:23PM Report as inappropriate

A lot of those sounds like some pretty crazy myths!

by ladyboarder9669 Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at 02:04PM Report as inappropriate

I had never heard some of these before so I'm glad I got a chance to now and to read the truth behind them.

by voyager24 Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at 12:52PM Report as inappropriate

Actually there is clear evidence: bcpinstitute.org/factshts.htm

by exchun Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at 11:37AM Report as inappropriate

Sadly most thing can cause cancer, breast cancer included. Just try to eat healthy and have yearly checkups. That's the best way around it.

by MissXu Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 07:22PM Report as inappropriate

Good read!

by volta Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 12:15AM Report as inappropriate

Everything causes breast cancer..

by riley_beach Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 11:00AM Report as inappropriate

The myths you grow up. So glad this can be cleared up. So many people believe the craziest things about breast cancer.

by tiffany_gallehugh Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 06:31PM Report as inappropriate

My heart and prayers go out to anyone suffering from this disease and their families and friends.

by Thorne Monday, October 17, 2011 at 02:37PM Report as inappropriate

my mom had breast cancer :\ thank god shes not a survivor of 6 years

by anna_davis Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 08:51AM Report as inappropriate

At long last, all my questions about these myths have finally been answered. Thank you very much!

by sonatina Friday, October 14, 2011 at 11:19PM Report as inappropriate

I don't know how many times I've already said this, but THANK YOU Totalbeauty!!

by kelser11 Friday, October 14, 2011 at 11:26AM Report as inappropriate

This was a great article and the information is so useful.

by taryn.romero Friday, October 14, 2011 at 10:28AM Report as inappropriate

The number one risk factor for any type of cancer is FAMILY HISTORY, that plays a big role.

by LadySara Friday, October 14, 2011 at 09:38AM Report as inappropriate

Wow....a lot of these things I was avoiding because I was scared of these myths!! Thank you totalbeauty!!!

by dtrivi215 Friday, October 14, 2011 at 08:43AM Report as inappropriate

That was very educational! Thank you!

by LittleBunny Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 10:45AM Report as inappropriate

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