SDE Cancer Awareness Ambassador – Caroline Spencer

By Sheila Kimani (@sheilakimm)

Our Cancer Awareness Ambassador of the day is Caroline Spencer, social media influencers whose love for new age technology has seen her work with top notch companies.

In a bid to raise and spread Cancer Awareness, Caroline took part in the Cancer Talk Kenyan photo shoot and has since encouraged fellow ladies to take part in screening and pap smears.

Quick Facts about cancer

As the Breast Cancer Month counts down to a close, here is a clarification to a few myths about Cancer that many come in handy the next time a discussion in regards to Cancer comes up.

Antiperspirants and deodorants cause breast cancer.

The Truth

Researchers at the National Cancer Institute are not aware of any conclusive evidence linking the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants and the subsequent development of breast cancer.

Men do not get breast cancer; it affects women only.

The Truth

Quite the contrary, each year it is estimated that approximately 2,190 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 410 will die. While this percentage is still small, men should also check themselves periodically by doing a breast self-exam.

Finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer.

The Truth

Only a small percentage of breast lumps turn out to be cancer.  But if you discover a persistent lump in your breast or notice any changes in breast tissue, it should never be ignored. It is very important that you see a physician for a clinical breast exam. He or she may possibly order breast imaging studies to determine if this lump is of concern or not. 

Only women with a family history of breast cancer are at risk.

Reality: Roughly 70% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no identifiable risk factors for the disease.

Breast cancer is contagious.

The Truth

You cannot catch breast cancer or transfer it to someone else's body. Breast cancer is the result of uncontrolled cell growth of mutated cells that begin to spread into other tissues within the breast.

However, you can reduce your risk by practicing a healthy lifestyle, being aware of the risk factors, and following an early detection plan.

If you have a family history of breast cancer, you are likely to develop breast cancer, too.

The Truth

While women who have a family history of breast cancer are in a higher risk group, most women who have breast cancer have no family history. Statistically only about 10% of individuals diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of this disease.  

A mammogram can cause breast cancer to spread.

The Truth

A mammogram, or x-ray of the breast, currently remains the gold standard for the early detection of breast cancer. Breast compression while getting a mammogram cannot cause cancer to spread.

Wearing an underwire bra increases your risk of getting breast Cancer

Reality: Claims that underwire bras compress the lymphatic system of the breast, have been widely debunked as unscientific. The consensus is that neither the type of bra you wear nor the tightness of your underwear or other clothing has any connection to breast cancer risk.

Myth: Breast implants can raise your cancer risk.

Reality: Women with breast implants are at no greater risk of getting breast cancer, according to research.

Small-breasted women have less chance of getting breast cancer.

Reality: There's no connection between the size of your breasts and your risk of getting breast cancer. Very large breasts may be harder to examine than small breasts, with clinical breast