Test Your Breast Health Knowledge

Navigating breast health can be tricky with so much information—and misinformation—available online. Put your knowledge to the test with our mythbusting quiz!

Fact or Fiction?: If breast cancer runs in your family, you’re sure to get it.

Fiction: While knowing your family history is important, having a genetic mutation does not guarantee that you will develop cancer. Cancer risk is influenced by many factors, including lifestyle, environmental factors and genetics. Discuss your family history with your doctor to assess your risk more accurately.

Fact or Fiction?: Men can get breast cancer.

Fact: While less common, men can develop breast cancer. Men have breast tissue as well, and cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancerous and spread to other areas. According to ACS, the average lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is about 1 in 726 for men, and Black men with breast cancer tend to have the worst prognosis.

Fact or Fiction?: Wearing a bra can cause breast cancer.

Fiction: Despite rumors, there’s no scientific evidence that bras block lymph flow or cause breast cancer. In fact, a 2014 study of more than 1,500 women found no link between wearing a bra and cancer risk.

Fact or Fiction?: Breast cancer always creates a lump you can feel.

Fiction: Breast cancer can be sneaky—it might not form a lump you can detect. By the time a lump does appear, the cancer might have already spread to the lymph nodes. According to ACS, regular mammograms are the best method for early detection, as they can detect tiny abnormalities before they can be felt or seen.