Don’t rely on old wives’ tales when it comes to looking after your breasts. We separate fact from fiction to bring you all the information you need to take care of your breasts.
If you don’t wear a bra your breasts will eventually sag.
This is a common misconception. But in fact, even if you had diligently worn a bra 24/7, your breasts would inevitably sag after menopause. The mammary glands in your breasts usually shrink after menopause. For some women, fat replaces the glands that once filled out the breast. Because fat tissue has no structure, it sags. Other than a surgical breast lift or strength-training exercises, such as push-ups, which strengthen the pectoral muscles in the chest, nothing’s going to reduce that sagging.
Lumpy, sensitive breasts are normal in perimenopause
Breast pain is very common during perimenopause. In fact, uncomfortable breast pain is often the first sign that menopause is approaching. Don’t fret, though; it won’t go on forever; The tenderness and lumpiness should subside after menopause. Fluctuating hormones are likely to blame, though sagging breasts may contribute. They are thought to create discomfort as fat pulls the breasts downward. To alleviate that discomfort, sleep in a light cotton or sports bra.
Estrogen fuels breast cell growth, so breast cancer risk declines after menopause.
Breast cancer rates rise with age, despite the drop in estrogen levels. The good news is that postmenopausal breast cancers tend to grow more slowly than those in younger women, making them less dangerous. No matter what your age, early detection is the key. It is important to continue screening, through regular clinical breast exams and mammograms or other tests. You and your healthcare provider also should discuss the option of breast self-exams. While research has not established its value in early detection of cancer, they may help you become more familiar with your breasts and therefore better able to notice any problems and seek further screening.
There’s a new drug available that can help reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Raloxifene, marketed as Evista®, has recently been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to reduce the risk of certain breast cancers in postmenopausal women. It’s not suitable for everyone, though, and it doesn’t treat existing breast cancer or lower the risk of recurrence. If you have a history of clotting disorders or are at risk of having a stroke, you’ll need to assess the risk-benefit ratio with your healthcare provider.
Feeling tense during a mammogram makes it
more uncomfortable.
Anxiety can lead to greater discomfort, so try using some relaxation techniques before your appointment. Deep breathing exercises and meditation can go a long way in reducing pre-appointment jitters. The more relaxed you feel going into the mammogram, the less uncomfortable the procedure will be. Remember, any discomfort is over very quickly.
Mammograms work better on postmenopausal women.
Not necessarily. In fact, breast density is more a factor than age. It is difficult to detect cancer in women with dense breasts at any age, because glands, ligaments and other non-fat tissues appear white on a mammogram, as do cancer cells. Fat, on the other hand, looks black, making tumors easier to spot. About half of postmenopausal women experience a reduction in the density of their breasts significant enough to improve a mammogram reading. Using hormone therapy can increase breast density, adding to the challenge of detecting tumors.
A mammogram is the only way to detect cancer.
If you are a breast cancer survivor, have dense breasts, have a strong family history of cancer or have the BRCA1 and BRCA2 cancer genes, consider having a breast ultrasound or breast MRI in addition to your mammogram. If you’re at high risk of developing breast cancer, some experts recommend a breast MRI every three years. Using a facility dedicated to breast health is another good option. Studies find that radiologists who specialize in reading mammograms catch twice as many cancers as those who don’t. If you find a breast
lump, it needs follow-up with a surgeon, even if the mammogram is negative.
MEMOThe best way to be breast healthy is to maintain a healthy weight with diet and exercise, as obesity increases cancer risk. After turning 40, schedule regular mammograms. If you have a family history of breast cancer or are at high risk for other reasons, your healthcare provider may recommend starting mammograms at a younger age, getting additional screening tests or having more frequent breast exams.
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