Myth: Your chance of getting breast cancer decreases with age.

Fact: The biggest risk factor for breast cancer is being a woman over 50 years of age. Over 80% of new breast cancers diagnosed each year in BC are in women age 50 or older.

   

Myth: You can’t get screened if you have breast implants.

Fact: If you have breast implants, you should still have regular mammograms. Please note that you won’t be able to make an appointment directly with BC Cancer Breast Screening as you may require special positioning and possibly some additional images. Contact your health care provider for a referral for a screening mammogram at a diagnostic imaging office.

   

Myth: All breast cancers can be detected on a mammogram.

Fact: No screening test is perfect, and mammography is no exception. Factors like age or breast density can influence the look of breast tissue on a mammogram, making cancers more or less difficult to recognize. In general, screening mammograms are less effective in those who are younger because they tend to have denser breasts. About 25% of cancers in women ages 40-49 are not picked up by a screening mammogram, compared with about 10% in women older than 50.

   

Myth: Mammograms are unsafe and ineffective.

Fact: Screening mammograms are the international gold standard for detecting breast cancer early. Mammograms can usually find lumps 2 or 3 years before you or your health care provider can feel them.

   

Myth: Radiation exposure during a mammogram can cause cancer.

Fact: Mammograms require very small doses of radiation– the equivalent to 6 months of background radiation exposure from daily living. The risk of harm from this amount of radiation exposure is low, and the benefits outweigh the risk. Furthermore, there has never been a case of breast cancer proven to be caused from radiation exposure during a mammogram. If you would like to know more about radiation safety, please visit the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada website.

   

Myth: You don’t need to get screened for breast cancer before age 40.

Fact: Routine screening is not recommended for those under age 40 because the risk of breast cancer is low. Screening mammograms are not as effective in detecting breast cancer in younger women because they generally have dense breast tissue, which can make it more difficult to detect breast cancer on a mammogram. However, if you are at high risk of developing breast cancer, BC Breast Screening will accept women under age 40 with a referral. Please consult your health care provider for more information.

   

Myth: All breast cancers are life-threatening.

Fact: Not all breast cancers are life-threatening, but most cancers will grow if left untreated. Some breast cancers detected by screening may never cause any harm, but it is not possible to tell which cancers will (or will not) turn into a life-threatening cancer in the future.

   

Myth: Compression of the breasts causes cancer.

Fact: There is no scientific evidence that compression of the breast causes cancer. Also, breast compression while getting a mammogram cannot cause cancer to spread. Compression of the breast during a mammogram assists in separating the breast tissue to reveal any abnormalities. It also helps to hold the breast in place which eliminates blur on the image.

   

Myth: Mammograms conducted at a clinic are better than ones conducted by a mobile mammography service.

Fact: Whether you visit a permanent clinic or a temporary one set up by a mobile mammography service, all are equally accredited by the Canadian Association of Radiologists Mammography Accreditation Program and will provide you with high-quality care. At all mobile locations, you will find professional, friendly staff who are happy to answer all your questions and make your appointment comfortable and pleasant.