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Myth: Annual mammograms expose you to so much radiation that they increase your risk of cancer.

Reality: While it's true that radiation is used in mammography, the amount is so small that any associated risks are tiny when compared to the huge preventive benefits reaped from the test. Mammograms can detect lumps well before they can be felt or otherwise noticed, and the earlier that lumps are caught, the better one's chances for survival. The American Cancer Society recommends that women age 40 and older receive a screening mammogram every one to two years.

Next: Myth: Needle biopsies can disturb cancer cells and cause them to spread to other parts of the body.