“Breast cancer is contagious.”
False
Cancer cannot be caught. You can touch, hug and share a meal with someone who is ill.
Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI) (2026, accessed)Space 02 · True or false
True or false?
127 statements about breast cancer, including common myths in West Africa and the Maghreb. Every answer is explained and sourced. Rounds of 10 cards.
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Read the statement, make up your mind, then tap “See the answer”.
“Breast cancer always means death.”
False
Many breast cancers are cured, especially when found early. In the United States, 5-year survival is above 99% when the cancer has stayed in the breast.
Source: ACS (2026, accessed)“Breast cancer is caused by witchcraft or the evil eye.”
False
Cancer comes from cells that multiply without control. This belief, described in African studies, delays access to care.
Source: Published review (PMC11092234) (2024)“Plants and traditional remedies can cure breast cancer.”
False
No herbal remedy has been shown to cure cancer. Using them instead of treatment wastes precious time.
Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI) (2026, accessed)“A biopsy makes cancer “burst” and spread.”
False
A biopsy does not spread cancer. It is essential to confirm the diagnosis and choose the treatment.
Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI) (2026, accessed)“Operating on a cancer exposes it to air and makes it flare up.”
False
Surgery does not make cancer spread. It is a widespread myth.
Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI) (2026, accessed)“Breast cancer is a disease of Western women.”
False
It is the most common cancer in women in Mauritania and in most countries of the world.
Source: Pan African Medical Journal, 2025;52:36 (2025)“Having breast cancer is a shame that must be hidden.”
False
It is an illness like any other. Talking about it helps you get treatment and support.
Source: Published review (PMC12407049) (2025)“Deodorants and antiperspirants cause breast cancer.”
False
Studies have not shown a link between these products and breast cancer.
Source: NCI (2026, accessed)“Wearing a bra, even a tight or underwired one, causes breast cancer.”
“Eating sugar makes cancer grow faster.”
False
Studies have not shown that eating sugar makes a cancer grow faster.
Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI) (2026, accessed)“Keeping your mobile phone against your chest gives you breast cancer.”
False
Studies have not shown a consistent link between mobile phones and cancer.
Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI) (2026, accessed)“Breast cancer only affects older women.”
“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Mauritania.”
True
That is what published data show: about 3 female cancers in 10.
Source: Pan African Medical Journal, 2025;52:36 (2025)“If I have cancer, it's because I did something wrong.”
False
Cancer is not a punishment. Many people with cancer have no known risk factor.
Source: ACS (2026, accessed)“Doctors are hiding a cure for cancer.”
False
There is no hidden cure. Research publishes its results and treatments keep improving.
Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI) (2026, accessed)“A lump in the breast or under the arm should be checked by a doctor.”
True
It is the best-known sign. Only a test can tell whether it is cancer.
Source: ACS (2026, accessed)“Breast cancer always hurts.”
“Every lump in the breast is cancer.”
False
Most lumps are benign (cysts, fibroadenomas). But they should always be checked.
Source: ACS (2026, accessed)“Skin that looks like orange peel can be a sign of breast cancer.”
“A nipple that has newly turned inwards should be checked by a doctor.”
“Bloody discharge from the nipple should be checked by a doctor.”
True
Discharge outside breastfeeding, especially with blood, must be examined.
Source: Cancer Research UK (CRUK) (2026, accessed)“A red, warm and swollen breast is not always an infection.”
True
It may be inflammatory breast cancer, a rare form that progresses quickly.
Source: ACS (2026, accessed)“A change in the size or shape of a breast should be checked by a doctor.”
True
An unexplained change is a sign to show to a health worker.
Source: Cancer Research UK (CRUK) (2026, accessed)“A lump under the arm can be linked to breast cancer.”
“If the lump is small, you can wait several months.”
False
The earlier you get checked, the simpler the treatment. At the CNO, one patient in three waited 3 months or more.
Source: Pan African Medical Journal, 2025;52:36 (2025)“These signs can have causes other than cancer.”
“A lump that moves under your fingers cannot be cancer.”
“A sore or crust on the nipple that does not heal should be examined.”
True
Changes in the skin of the nipple are among the signs to report.
Source: Cancer Research UK (CRUK) (2026, accessed)“The signs of breast cancer are the same for everyone, so there's no point knowing your breasts.”
“A mammogram can find a cancer too small to be felt.”
“A mammogram is useless if you have no signs.”
“The recommended age for screening mammography varies by country.”
True
For example 50-74 in France, from 40-45 in the United States, 50-69 according to the WHO.
Source: WHO (2014)“In France, screening mammography is advised every 2 years from age 50 to 74.”
True
This is the organised screening programme.
Source: French National Cancer Institute (INCa) (2026, accessed)“Mammogram radiation is very dangerous.”
False
The radiation dose is low. At the recommended ages, the benefit outweighs the risk.
Source: NCI (2026, accessed)“A normal mammogram guarantees you will never get breast cancer.”
False
It reflects one moment in time and can sometimes miss a cancer. Stay alert to changes.
Source: NCI (2026, accessed)“A mammogram can sometimes show an abnormality that is not cancer.”
“In Mauritania, there is no organised national screening programme yet.”
True
There are occasional campaigns, such as Pink October and mobile clinics.
Source: Ministry of Health of Mauritania (2018)“Breast self-examination replaces mammography.”
False
Knowing your breasts is useful, but it replaces neither an exam by a health worker nor a mammogram.
Source: ACS (2026, accessed)“A trained midwife can perform a clinical breast exam.”
True
Midwives are trained in breast and cervical cancer screening in Mauritania.
Source: AMI (Mauritanian news agency)“The WHO aims for at least 60% of breast cancers to be diagnosed at stage I or II.”
“Women at high risk can start screening earlier.”
True
With a BRCA mutation or a strong family history, the doctor may suggest earlier monitoring, sometimes with MRI.
Source: ACS (2026, accessed)“The WHO recommends a diagnosis within 60 days of the first consultation.”
“Pink October is breast cancer awareness month.”
True
Every October, campaigns encourage screening in many countries.
Source: French League against Cancer (2026, accessed)“Mammograms are only for women who have children.”
False
Screening concerns all women of the recommended age.
Source: French National Cancer Institute (INCa) (2026, accessed)“The whole breast is always removed.”
False
Often, only the tumour is removed (lumpectomy), followed by radiotherapy.
Source: NCI (2026, accessed)“Chemotherapy can be given before surgery.”
True
It can shrink the tumour before the operation: this is neoadjuvant treatment.
Source: NCI (2026, accessed)“Hormone therapy can last 5 to 10 years.”
“Radiotherapy makes you radioactive and dangerous for your family.”
False
External radiotherapy does not make you radioactive: you can be close to your loved ones.
Source: NCI (2026, accessed)“HER2-positive cancers have targeted treatments.”
“In Mauritania, the CNO provides chemotherapy and radiotherapy.”
True
It is the public reference centre, in Nouakchott.
Source: Springer, Cancer in the Arab World (2022)“Treatment at the CNO is free for people in need.”
True
This is what the literature on oncology in Mauritania reports.
Source: Springer, Cancer in the Arab World (2022)“If I feel better, I can stop my treatment.”
False
Stopping too early increases the risk of the cancer coming back. The WHO aims for 80% of patients to complete their treatment.
Source: WHO (2023)“All breast cancers get the same treatment.”
“Immunotherapy can be used for some triple-negative cancers.”
“Hair usually grows back after chemotherapy.”
“A fever during chemotherapy means calling the medical team straight away.”
“The arm can swell after lymph nodes are removed from the armpit.”
“Stage IV cancer can no longer be treated.”
“After a mastectomy, breast reconstruction is possible.”
“Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer.”
“Regular physical activity helps reduce the risk.”
True
The ACS advises 150 to 300 minutes of moderate activity a week.
Source: American Cancer Society (ACS) (2026, accessed)“Being overweight after menopause increases the risk of breast cancer.”
True
After menopause, fat produces oestrogens that can stimulate some cancers.
Source: American Cancer Society (ACS) (2026, accessed)“A single “anti-cancer” food is enough to protect you.”
False
No food protects on its own. It is your overall lifestyle that counts.
Source: American Cancer Society (ACS) (2026, accessed)“If I eat healthily and exercise, I can't get breast cancer.”
“Some menopausal hormone treatments increase the risk.”
“Some contraceptive pills slightly increase the risk.”
True
The effect is small and fades after stopping. Discuss it with a health worker.
Source: American Cancer Society (ACS) (2026, accessed)“Sugar is the main cause of breast cancer.”
False
Sugar does not directly cause breast cancer. But excess weight is a risk factor.
Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI) (2026, accessed)“Creams and beauty products under the arms cause breast cancer.”
“Brisk walking counts as physical activity.”
True
Brisk walking is a moderate-intensity activity.
Source: American Cancer Society (ACS) (2026, accessed)“Dense breasts, seen on a mammogram, slightly increase the risk.”
“Stress has been proven to directly cause breast cancer.”
“Breast cancer is just bad luck: there is nothing you can do.”
False
You can't control everything, but moving, avoiding alcohol, keeping a healthy weight and seeing a doctor early all help.
Source: NCI (2026, accessed)“Having your first period early slightly increases the risk.”
“Most breast cancers are inherited.”
“If no one in my family has had cancer, I can't get it.”
“A BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation sharply increases the risk of breast cancer.”
True
The risk can reach 55 to 72% (BRCA1) or 45 to 69% (BRCA2) by age 70-80.
Source: NCI (2026, accessed)“A man can pass a BRCA mutation on to his children.”
“BRCA mutations also increase the risk of ovarian cancer.”
“In Mauritania, a study found a BRCA mutation in 27.7% of the patients tested.”
True
38 patients out of 137, selected because a family form was suspected: this figure does not apply to all patients.
Source: BMC Cancer, 2022;22:802 (2022)“A BRCA1 mutation that is very common in Mauritania was identified in a study.”
“Genetic testing is recommended for all women.”
False
It is offered based on personal and family history, after genetic counselling.
Source: NCI (2026, accessed)“Having a BRCA mutation means you will certainly get cancer.”
“BRCA mutation carriers can be monitored with MRI.”
“It is useful to know whether relatives have had breast or ovarian cancer.”
“Triple-negative cancer is more common in BRCA1 carriers.”
“A hereditary cancer always skips a generation.”
False
A mutation can be passed on in every generation, by the father or the mother.
Source: NCI (2026, accessed)“Men can get breast cancer.”
“Breast cancer is a “women's disease”: men don't need to worry.”
“A lump under the nipple in a man should be checked by a doctor.”
“A BRCA2 mutation increases the risk of breast cancer in men.”
“In men, breast cancer is often diagnosed between 60 and 70.”
“In the United States, about 1 man in 755 will get breast cancer during his lifetime.”
“In Mauritania, men are also treated for breast cancer at the CNO.”
True
In a series of 200 CNO patients, 1.5% were men.
Source: Pan African Medical Journal, 2025;52:36 (2025)“Breast cancer treatment in men is completely different.”
False
It is similar to that of women: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy.
Source: NCI (2026, accessed)“A man shouldn't talk about a lump in his breast, it's embarrassing.”
False
Shame delays diagnosis. Seeing a doctor early saves lives.
Source: Pan African Medical Journal, 2013;14:150 (2013)“A nipple turning inwards or discharge in a man are signs to report.”
“Radiation exposure to the chest increases the risk in men.”
“Men can also support the fight against breast cancer.”
True
Husbands, fathers, brothers and sons can encourage screening and support patients.
Source: ACS (2026, accessed)“Klinefelter syndrome increases the risk of breast cancer in men.”
“You can't get breast cancer before 40.”
“Triple-negative cancer is more common in women under 40.”
“A young woman who feels a lump that doesn't go away should see a doctor.”
“Ultrasound is often used to examine a lump in a young woman.”
“Some treatments can affect fertility.”
“A young woman doesn't need to know her breasts.”
“In young women, a breast lump is always due to periods.”
False
Some lumps change with the cycle, but a lump that persists must be examined.
Source: ACS (2026, accessed)“A young woman with breast cancer may be offered genetic counselling.”
“Breast cancer in a young woman cannot be treated.”
“You are never too young to see a doctor about a breast change.”
“Among patients supported by Ithar in 2024 (all cancers), about 17% were between 18 and 40.”
“Fibroadenomas in young women always turn into cancer.”
False
A fibroadenoma is a common benign tumour that usually does not become cancer.
Source: ACS (2026, accessed)“The average age at diagnosis at the CNO was about 50.”
True
50.46 years in a series of 200 cases (2020-2021).
Source: Pan African Medical Journal, 2025;52:36 (2025)“Breastfeeding slightly reduces the risk of breast cancer.”
True
The risk drops by about 4.3% for each year of breastfeeding.
Source: The Lancet, 2002;360:187-195 (2002)“You can't get breast cancer during pregnancy.”
“A lump while breastfeeding is always a blocked duct.”
“Breast cancer can be treated during pregnancy.”
“Chemotherapy can be given after the first 3 months of pregnancy.”
“Radiotherapy is avoided during pregnancy.”
“Ending the pregnancy improves the mother's chances of survival.”
False
According to the NCI, ending the pregnancy probably does not improve the mother's survival.
Source: NCI (2026, accessed)“You can safely breastfeed during chemotherapy.”
False
Medicines can pass into the milk: breastfeeding is stopped during chemotherapy.
Source: NCI (2026, accessed)“After breast cancer, pregnancy is impossible.”
False
Pregnancy is often possible after treatment. Talk about it with the medical team.
Source: NCI (2026, accessed)“Having your first child after 30 slightly increases the risk.”
“Breastfeeding causes breast cancer.”
False
It's the opposite: breastfeeding slightly reduces the risk.
Source: The Lancet, 2002;360:187-195 (2002)“A breast ultrasound can be done safely during pregnancy.”
“Biting or injuring the nipple while breastfeeding causes cancer.”
False
There is no evidence for this. This belief has been described among some traditional healers.
Source: PLOS ONE (PMC13440859) (2026)“A pregnant woman can also have her breasts examined.”
Information based on publications by the WHO, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the French National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, Cancer Research UK and published scientific studies. The information on ROSE does not replace the advice of a health professional.