Dr. Neema Tiwari, MBBS, MD.
Did you know that a breast lump does not always mean cancer—and that a person can develop breast cancer even without a family history?
Breast cancer is a major public health concern, but timely assessment can make an important difference. In India, it accounts for a substantial share of cancers diagnosed in women. Estimates cited in the source material suggest around 192,000–200,000 new cases each year, and diagnosis often occurs at a younger age than in many high-income countries. These figures underline why clear, trustworthy information about breast health matters.
Awareness means knowing what to trust:
Recognising a breast lump is important, but awareness goes beyond knowing one warning sign. People also need to understand possible risk factors, changes that deserve attention, and the role of tests used to investigate a concern. Unfortunately, health information shared through social media, messaging groups and informal conversations can mix reliable advice with claims that have little evidence behind them. When these claims sound familiar or are repeated often enough, they can begin to seem true.
Studies on breast cancers in India have found that many women understand some important facts—for example, that breast cancer can occur even when there is no family history, and that not every lump is cancerous. At the same time, gaps remain in knowledge about risk factors and diagnostic procedures. Awareness programmes therefore need to answer the questions people actually have, in language that is easy to understand and without creating unnecessary fear.
Common myths deserve clear answers:
Questions about mobile phones kept close to the breast, deodorants or antiperspirants, and sugar intake often arise in public discussions about breast cancer. Such concerns should be addressed respectfully, but advice should be based on reliable scientific evidence rather than repetition or hearsay. Cancer risk is complex; no single behaviour should be presented as an inevitable cause of cancer, and no single lifestyle choice can guarantee protection.
Health professionals and public education campaigns can help by explaining what is known, acknowledging where evidence is uncertain, and directing people to dependable sources. Clear communication is particularly important online, where misleading claims can spread quickly and may influence decisions about whether or when to seek care.
A breast change should not be ignored:
A new lump, a persistent change in breast shape or skin, or another unusual change should be assessed by a qualified health professional. It is not possible to decide reliably from appearance alone whether a lump is harmless or serious. A clinician will consider a person’s age, symptoms and examination findings before recommending the next steps, which may include imaging and, when appropriate, sampling of tissue or cells.
One common misunderstanding is that fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) can make a benign lump cancerous. FNAC is a sampling procedure used to help investigate a lesion; it does not turn a benign lesion into a malignant one. Patients should feel able to ask why a test is being recommended, what it can show, and whether any further investigation may be needed. The choice of test should be guided by the treating clinician.
Education should lead to timely care:
Research from different parts of India has reported varied levels of knowledge gaps about breast cancer symptoms, risk factors and screening practices in both rural and urban communities. This variation suggests that a single message or campaign may not reach everyone equally. Educational efforts are more likely to be useful when they are adapted to local needs and delivered through trusted health professionals, community networks and verified media.
Education can improve knowledge, but knowing the facts does not always mean that a person will seek care promptly. Practical barriers, fear, uncertainty and misinformation can still delay assessment. Future studies using validated questionnaires and more representative samples could help identify the most important gaps and assess whether awareness programmes change care-seeking behaviour as well as knowledge.
Key messages:
- a. Breast cancer can occur even without a family history, and not every breast lump is cancerous.
- b. Repeated online claims are not necessarily supported by scientific evidence.
- c. FNAC is a diagnostic sampling procedure; it does not cause a benign lesion to become malignant.
- d. A new or persistent breast change should be assessed by a qualified health professional.
- e. Accessible, locally relevant education can help people make informed decisions and seek care without delay.
Author:
Dr. Neema Tiwari, MBBS and MD in Pathology from Eras Lucknow Medical College and Hospital,
Assistant Professor at Post Graduate Institute of Child Health (PGICH), Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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