Actually, men can get it, too (although not as common)—and so can young women.

2. Only women with a family history of breast cancer get it.

Family history is a major risk factor, but age is a higher risk factor. And truthfully, all women have some degree of risk of getting breast cancer.

3. Breast cancer is contagious.

Nope.

4. All breast lumps are cancerous.

Eighty per cent of lumps are caused by benign changes in the breast.

5. The first sign of breast cancer is always a lump.

Sometimes the first sign is a different abnormality in the breast or even nipple. Or sometimes there are no symptoms at all.

6. Weird things cause breast cancer.

People like to think antiperspirants, birth control pills, high-fat foods, coffee, underwire bras, the use of chemicals and even breastfeeding cause breast cancer—but there really isn’t any solid research to back any of this up. (Plus, there is evidence to suggest breastfeeding actually helps reduce the risk of developing breast cancer later in life.)

7. A breast self-exam is the best way to diagnose breast cancer.

A mammogram actually is—although breast self-exams are still important.

8. A mammogram can prevent breast cancer.

It only detects it at an early stage.

9. Breast cancer treatment=surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

Yes, but there are other options, like tamoxifen, herceptin and other types of hormonal therapy, even alternative and complementary therapies.

10. A breast cancer diagnosis is a death sentence.

It does kill some women, and before their time. My mom died from breast cancer at the age of 49. However, on the other hand, a lot of women completely beat breast cancer for good.