Myth 1: Most breast cancers occur with a family history of the disease? Actually, only about 15 to 20% of breast cancer patients have a family history of breast cancer. Even in this percentage, it is not always the genes that are responsible. There may be common causative factors related to similar lifestyles, behaviors and dietary habits among relatives! Having a family history of breast cancer does not mean that you are necessarily at risk for a genetic mutation or that that genetic gene will necessarily cause cancer. However, it is important to be proactive about your family medical history and regular breast screening. Myth 2: Once breast cancer is detected, you must remove the breast immediately, otherwise the cancer cells will spread and metastasize quickly? Breast cancer is slower growing than most other cancers. When breast cancer is detected through screening, the cancer cells have basically been present in the breast for a period of time ranging from 3 to 15 years. In most cases, other treatment options can be examined, such as the possibility of breast-conserving treatment rather than total mastectomy. For larger breast cancer lumps, chemotherapy may be considered to shrink the lump before surgery. Of course, breast cancer should be treated as early as possible and in time. Myth 3: If you do not have the factors that cause breast cancer, you will not get breast cancer? It is important to know that the majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have any known causative factors. However, if you have the following conditions, your chance of getting breast cancer is higher than the average person, such as having a blood relative with a history of breast cancer; never having children or having children after the age of 30; drinking alcohol more than once a day; having early menarche or late menopause; being overweight or having sedentary habits after menopause. There is no absolute way to prevent breast cancer at this stage, but you can reduce your risk by exercising, controlling your weight and limiting alcohol intake. People at high risk should have a comprehensive breast examination every year. Myth 4: The first sign of breast cancer is a painless lump? Many women are diligent in performing breast self-examinations for the purpose of checking for lumps. However, we should also pay attention to whether there is any thickening, redness or asymmetry in the breast tissue. It is also important to watch for changes in the nipples and skin. Perform monthly breast self-examinations starting at age 20. A thorough breast exam should involve the area around the collarbone and even the bilateral lymph nodes (under the armpit on each side). Most lumps that are found are usually benign cysts (or fibroadenomas) or palpable lumpy glands. Once you find any lump, do not hesitate to go to the hospital immediately. Myth 5: If there is no recurrence of breast cancer within 5 years, the cancer is completely cured? The peak of recurrence after breast cancer treatment is in the 2nd or 3rd year, and the probability of recurrence is less after 5 years, but in fact, no matter how long the interval is, breast cancer still has the possibility of recurrence. The so-called 5 years is just as a concept of time in terms of medical statistics, for patients, the number is not meaningful, only the non-recurrence is the hard truth! As long as you have had breast cancer, you need to have regular review every year. Myth 6: Anyone who is detected with breast cancer must receive chemotherapy? Not all breast cancers need chemotherapy. For early stage, less malignant breast cancer is treated by surgery or supplemented with endocrine therapy. There are many types of breast cancer, and each type is different at different times of development. Although doctors refer to them collectively as breast cancer, different types of breast cancer and different stages require different treatments. Therefore, each breast cancer patient is treated differently. Detecting the tumor early usually means less chance of needing chemotherapy. But if this is part of your treatment, it doesn’t mean that the cancer has gotten worse.