To help women make informed decisions about their health, cancer control specialists of the American Cancer Society counter the most common circulated myths about breast cancer and its detection with reality-based answers. Myths and Realities Myth Breast cancer kills more women than any other disease. Reality Among women whose cancer has not spread beyond the breast at the time of diagnosis, their five-year survival rate is 97 percent.
Early diagnosis is the key to survival.
Myth Breast cancer is not a threat to women under 40. Myth Only women with a family history of breast cancer are at risk. For this reason, all women need to follow the American Cancer Society's screening recommendations. Myth Mammograms are unsafe and painful. With today's modern technology, radiation is low and not harmful.