Tight bras, money, phones in bras do not cause breast cancer – Scientists

Three medical scientists have confirmed that wearing tight underwired brassieres and keeping money or phones in brassieres do not contribute to the development of breast cancer.

They said breast cancer was not infectious and added that extensive research had found no scientific evidence supporting any of those claims.

The experts, Medical Physicist, Dr Theophilus Sackey, Cancer Epidemiologist, Dr Adolf Kofi Awua and Medical Imaging expert, Dr Shiraz Issahaku said this in an interview with The Mirror in Accra last Tuesday ahead of the celebration of Pink Month in October.

The scientists, who work with the Radiological and Medical Sciences Research Institute (RAMSRI) debunked five myths while discussing the true causes of breast cancer, its symptoms and treatment options.

Myth 1: Breast cancer is contagious

Dr Sackey addressed the misconception that breast cancer was contagious, explaining that the myth arose from a misunderstanding of how cancer developed.

“Cancer is not an infectious disease; it results from genetic mutations in a person’s cells influenced by factors such as lifestyle, family history and environment. Unlike infectious diseases that spread through contact or bodily fluids, cancer cells cannot be transmitted from one person to another,” he said.

He noted that extensive research had found no evidence supporting the idea of cancer transmission, noting that the misconception could foster stigma and fear among those diagnosed with the disease.

He recounted that in his 30 years of experience, some patients had reported being evicted or isolated from their homes upon their landlords or family members discovering that they had been diagnosed with cancer. He asked the public to refrain from spreading such misinformation.

Myth 2: Mastectomy prevents breast cancer reoccurrence

Dr Awua addressed the question of whether a mastectomy, which is the surgical removal of one or both breasts, guaranteed that a person would never develop breast cancer again.

He explained that while mastectomy was crucial for advanced-stage breast cancer or women with significant family history of the disease, there was still a risk of cancer recurrence in nearby tissues, including lymph nodes around the armpit, collarbone or breastbone.

“Even with a mastectomy, residual cells and lymph nodes can remain and potentially become re-infected,” he cautioned.

He added that if radiation therapy and pre and post-chemotherapy treatments were used, it was possible to destroy any remaining infected cells and tissues.

Myth 3: Deodorants and antiperspirants cause breast cancer

Dr Awua spoke about the concern of whether deodorants and antiperspirants could cause breast cancer.
He explained that while some of these products contained some amount of heavy metals like aluminium, the is no evidence that these metals can damage the DNA or increase the risk of cancer.

Myth 4: Only women can get breast cancer

Dr Issahaku clarified that not only women could get breast cancer.  “It is more prevalent in women but men can also develop the disease, particularly if they have a family history or other risk factors.

He noted the importance of awareness and screening for all genders, as early detection could improve treatment outcomes.

Myth 5: All lumps in the breast are cancerous

Dr Issahaku explained that not every lump or bump found in the breast was cancerous, as some might be harmless.
“However, it is critical to have any lump examined regularly by a healthcare professional because there is no guarantee it won’t become cancerous over time,” he advised.

Dr Issahaku added that, research has revealed that one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, while one in 100 men will develop it in their lifetime.

Causes

Addressing the true causes of breast cancer, Dr Awua explained that it occurred when the body’s cells started dividing uncontrollably, often due to damage to their DNA.

“The causes of this damage could range from genetic mutations such as those found in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, family history and environmental exposure to certain chemicals or radiation.

To illustrate his point, Dr Awua said: “Imagine a classroom of students with an absent or ineffective teacher to manage them.

There is bound to be chaos, and the students would start talking and acting out. Similarly, when the body’s regulatory systems fail, cells begin to divide uncontrollably, leading to cancer”.

He also noted that  lifestyle factors such as poor diet (antioxidant-deficient foods), lack of exercise, smoking, obesity and alcohol consumption could contribute to the disease.

“Women in their late 50s and beyond should be more vigilant, as the body’s natural ability to regulate cell growth and repair decreased with age, creating an environment where the disease could develop,” he noted.

Symptoms

Addressing the symptoms of breast cancer, Dr Sackey said signs such as lumps, changes in breast size, nipple discharge, redness, pain, or thickened areas in the breast which might not be painful should not be overlooked.

He added that many of such symptoms typically appeared only after the cancer had progressed and emphasised the importance of early detection.

For all cancers, he noted that this acronym: CAUTION represented symptoms. C for Change in bowel or bladder habits, A for sore that does not heal, U for Unusual bleeding or discharge, T for Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere, I for Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing, O for Obvious change in wart or mole and N for Nagging cough or hoarseness.

Treatment options

Regarding treatment options, Dr Sackey, who also works with the National Centre for Radiotherapy at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, explained that the treatment plan was dependent on the patient’s stage of cancer and overall health, with stage four being the most advanced.

Dr Issahaku noted that, breast cancer staging depended on several factors including breast cancer type, tumor size and location, and whether cancer had spread to other areas of the body.

“I entreat the public to undergo annual breast cancer screening for early detection because when it is detected early, a lumpectomy procedure can be done for the removal of any lumps without affecting the whole breast,” he said.

He noted that as the cancer progressed, treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation and sometimes full mastectomies may be necessary.

He said hormone therapy might be included in the treatment plan to block hormones such as estrogen and progesterone from interacting with cancer cells which helped slow down the disease’s growth.