Facts and myths about breast cancer

5. Survival rates have increased in recent years
The incident rate for breast cancer in England and Wales has risen -we're finding more cancers because of increased screening, awareness and better detection, according to Ruth Yates, of the CRC. But survival figures have risen significantly. We're living longer after having cancer. ('Survival' means staying alive five years after diagnosis. Improvements in screening programmes and uptake are recent, so 10-year rates aren't available.) As we're catching more early cancers, and as drugs improve, therapies are more effective. If detected in the earliest stage, there is a 92% survival rate.

The myths

1. Wearing a bra causes breast cancer
The rumour goes that tight bras obstruct the lymph system, so toxins collect in breast tissue, causing cancer. This assumption isn't even biologically plausible. Any decrease of blood supply (unlikely with a bra) or increased pressure doesn't create 'toxicity' in breasts, and can't cause normal cells to turn malignant. Wearing a bra doesn't cause cysts, either. (However, for a small number of women who have painful breasts as a result of cysts, going braless might decrease discomfort.)

2. Using antiperspirant causes cancer
It was thought that stopping our armpits sweating blocks the release of toxins, which then supposedly settle into the lymph nodes, and cells then become cancerous. Both the process and the result have no scientific evidence to support them. Sweat contains no toxins, just 99.9% water, salts, potassium and magnesium, and is there just to regulate our body temperature. It doesn't eliminate toxins - our kidneys and liver do this. The aluminium in antiperspirants is not carcinogenic. Chemicals that might enter our circulation don't necessarily end up stored in breast tissue or the lymph system. They're excreted by urination, or from other perspiring areas like the groin, behind the knees, or our palms. And antiperspirant chemicals don't end up in the lymph nodes.

3. The Pill causes breast cancer
No it doesn't, even if you take it for 10 years or more. The amount of hormones in the Pill is too small to pose a risk. Most women are prescribed low-dose formulas, which contain 50-100% less oestrogen than most birth control pills had before 1975. If you took the Pill before that time, and have a strong family history of breast cancer, check with your doctor.