25 Breast Cancer Myths Busted

19 of 26

Myth: Hair straighteners cause breast cancer in African-American women.

Reality: A large 2007 study funded by the National Cancer Institute found no increase in breast cancer risk due to the use of hair straighteners or relaxers. Study participants included African-American women who had used straighteners seven or more times a year for 20 years or longer.

Next: Myth: Removing the entire breast gives you a better chance of surviving cancer than having a lumpectomy with radiation therapy.