Beautiful young woman has pink ribbon pinned to her denim jacket while attending a breast cancer awareness event
There are many myths and misconceptions about breast cancer, a disease that will affect 1 in 8 women over their lifetime. Knowing the facts can save your life.
James Pellicane, M.D., director of breast oncology for the Bon Secours Cancer Institute in Richmond, a noted breast cancer expert who sees the suffering misinformation can cause, is passionate about setting the record straight.
Here are six commonly held myths about breast cancer — and the facts that could save your life.
Myth 1: Women at average risk don’t need a mammogram until age 50, and only every two years after that
For many years, that was the recommendation of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, but in 2025 they lowered the starting age to 40. Dr. Pellicane explained the reason for this change.
“Twenty percent of breast cancers are diagnosed in women under 50, so if women wait until they are 50 to start screening, we’ll miss 1 in 5 cancers,” he said.
And while the Task Force still recommends biannual screenings, Dr. Pellicane — along with the American Society of Breast Surgeons and the American College of Radiology — urges women to screen annually.
Women at higher risk should begin screening at a younger age and consult with their doctors about the timing and type of screening needed.
Myth 2: Mammography can cause breast cancer or make it spread
“That by and large is something that circulates across the internet,” said Dr. Pellicane. “But the radiation exposure you get with a mammogram is as minimal as flying across the country in an airplane.”
For average-risk women, mammography is the most effective and most cost-efficient way to screen for cancer.
James Pellicane, M.D., director of breast oncology for the Bon Secours Cancer Institute in Richmond
Myth 3: If you have no family history of breast cancer, you’ll probably never get it
“The reality is that about 80% of newly diagnosed breast cancers occur in women with no family history,” said Dr. Pellicane.
Of course, a family history of breast cancer is an important part of risk assessment — but so are certain other cancers on both sides of the family, including pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer and melanoma. If your family history includes any of these diseases, consult with a doctor to see if genetic testing is recommended.
Myth 4: If a lump hurts, it’s not breast cancer
“We hear this a lot at the office. ‘I thought it wasn’t breast cancer because it was painful,’” said Dr. Pellicane. “And while breast cancer usually isn’t painful, the opposite does not hold true.”
Any woman who feels a new breast lump — whether painful or not — should be evaluated by a breast surgeon or gynecologist.
Myth 5: Only women get breast cancer
Men can and do get breast cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2025 there will be about 2,800 new cases of invasive breast cancer in men and about 510 deaths.
“Just as in women, breast cancer in men often presents as a lump, and if you develop one you should absolutely see a doctor,” said Dr. Pellicane. “Though it often turns out to be a benign condition called gynecomastia, if it is cancer, the earlier you detect it the better.”
Myth 6: Check your breasts regularly — but don’t bother your doctor unless you’re sure something’s wrong
“I don’t want to waste your time” — Dr. Pellicane has heard this countless times.
“It’s important to understand that if there’s something you’re concerned about, it’s never a waste of our time to come in for an exam,” he said. “No problem is too small for us to check out. That’s why we’re here.”
For more information, please visit bonsecours.com.
