Debunking Breast Cancer Myths

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and while many women have an adequate understanding about their own risk for the disease, certain myths surrounding breast cancer persist. Such myths can lead to unsafe outcomes that jeopardize women's health. Here are a few of the most common misconceptions about breast cancer.

Myth: MRIs are more effective than mammograms.

The National Breast Cancer Coalition notes that no evidence exists to support the assertion that a magnetic resonance imaging exam is a more effective screening test for breast cancer than a mammogram. An MRI can be an effective diagnostic tool when doctors suspect something is wrong. However, the NBCC advises against using MRI to screen for breast cancer since it is more likely to yield a false-positive result than a mammogram. Indeed, the National Breast Cancer Foundation identifies mammography as the gold standard for the early detection of breast cancer.

Myth: Breast size and breast cancer risk are connected.

This myth typically suggests breast cancer is more common in women with large breasts. The NBCF notes there is no connection between breast size and breast cancer risk. Breast density, not size, may be associated with a greater risk for breast cancer. Dense breast tissue refers to the ways breast tissue appears on a mammogram. Women with dense breasts are at higher risk for breast cancer because the dense tissue makes screening for the disease more difficult.

Myth: Most breast cancer patients have a family history of the disease.

The NBCC notes that roughly 15 to 20 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer report a family history of the disease. Assuming only those with a family history are vulnerable to breast cancer gives women with no such background a false sense of security, which may discourage them from taking measures to lower their risk.

Myth: All breast lumps are cancerous.

The NBCF indicates only a small percentage of breast lumps end up being cancerous. Lumps should never be ignored and should be reported to a physician immediately. But it's important to avoid jumping to conclusions after finding a breast lump. A clinical breast exam can determine what's behind the lump, and women who discover a lump should remain calm until such an exam is conducted.

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Avocado Advantage:

Eating about 2 slices of avocado daily can lower diabetes risk for women by 24 percent, as written in Medical News Today. Avocados are high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and healthy fats, which stabilize blood sugar. Try using avocado instead of mayo on your sandwiches.

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The Two Ages That Shape Our Bodies

A recent study is providing new insight into the way we age. Rather than aging being a gradual process, the human body actually experiences two dramatic bursts of aging at a molecular level. The first at the age of 44, and then again at 60. The study, published in the journal Nature Aging, analyzed over 135,000 types of molecules affected by aging in 108 adults aged 25 to 75. These molecules were tracked for age-related changes every three to six months.

Researchers from Stanford University found that the majority of these sampled molecules didn’t change steadily over time. Instead, the majority of the molecules they studied showed accelerated, non-linear changes at the ages of 44 and 60.

For people in their mid-40s, the study detailed significant changes in molecules related to alcohol, caffeine and fat metabolism, heart disease and skin and muscle. For those in their mid-60s, significant changes were seen in molecules related to carbohydrate and caffeine metabolism, immune regulation, kidney function and heart disease, as well as in skin and muscles.

Researchers say finding patterns like these can help with the diagnosis and prevention of diseases and can be used to improve health-care management and the well-being of aging populations. They advise making lifestyle changes such as drinking less alcohol and exercising more when nearing these pivotal years in your 40s and 60s.

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Is Parenting Harmful to Your Health? 

If you’re a parent, you know how tough a job it can be- and the US surgeon general agrees. Dr. Vivek Murthy is warning that parenting can be harmful for your mental health because mothers and fathers face dangerous levels of stress.

Dr. Murthy says he is blessed to be a father of two, but notes how difficult he finds parenting for himself and others. Being a dad is both the “toughest and most rewarding” job he’s ever had, Murthy said.

“The stresses parents and caregivers have today are being passed to children in direct and indirect ways, impacting families and communities across America,” he said.

In a recent advisory, Murthy said 41 percent of parents say most days they are so stressed they can’t function, and 48 percent say their stress is completely overwhelming compared to other adults.

Murthy argued that parents today are facing different challenges from older generations, including social media, an increasing youth mental health crisis and the “epidemic of loneliness” that impacts younger people and their parents.

He also said the cultural norms should support parents talking more openly about their challenges.

“The work of raising a child is work, no less valuable than the work performed in a paid job and of an extraordinary value when it comes to the impact on the future of society,” Murthy said.

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How to Recognize Cyberbullying 

More than half of US teens have been bullied or harassed online. Despite the high number of occurrences cyberbullying isn’t always easy to spot.

Cyberbullying refers to the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending intimidating and/or threatening messages. These messages may be sent in various ways, including through apps or via social media platforms.

Young people may exhibit their own unique symptoms if they're being victimized by cyberbullies. Parents can look for these signs and take action if they suspect their children are being cyberbullied.

• A child becomes upset, sad or angry during or after being online or using their phone.
• A child withdraws from family or friends.
• A child expresses reluctance or refuses to participate in activities previously enjoyed.
• A child has an unexplained decline in grades.
• A child refuses to go to school or expresses anger or dissatisfaction with a specific class or school in general.
• A child increasingly reports symptoms of illness for which he or she wants to stay at home.
• A child shows signs of depression or sadness.

More information about how to respond to cyberbullying and prevent its recurrence is available at www.StopBullying.gov.