Many of us are familiar with the cautionary text forwards asking us to steer clear of underwire bras because it “could cause breast cancer”. Turns out, the Breast Cancer Awareness month focuses on busting myths, too!

“These questions keep coming to us when I usually give awareness talks: Does wearing a metallic brassiere cause breast cancer? Does wearing a black dress increase my susceptibility to breast cancer? Does the cancer spread following biopsy? If someone in my family or my neighbourhood has cancer, can it spread to me like a contagious disease? It’s all false. It’s neither a contagious condition nor does it spread following biopsy. But these are only some of the few myths,” explains Dr Anusha.  

“There’s also a belief that breast cancer is a disease only associated with women. However, there’s also a need to spread more awareness on the fact that it can also affect men, and although this happens rarely in comparison, it should be taken just as seriously as it could be aggressive if left untreated,” she adds.

Contrary to what one may imagine, a patient post-surgery is not incapacitated. “The patient is made to walk on the very same day of surgery and they are made to do shoulder mobility exercises on the day after surgery. They are advised to do some small activities at home and no one goes on complete bed rest. Usually, it’s only a day of hospitalization,” says Dr Anusha.

Driving home the point that breast cancer is curable, it should be emphasized that getting a screening is very important. “It is not only people with symptoms who need to approach a breast clinic for examination or screening. Ideally, it is advisable for any lady to go for breast screening,” she concludes.