Odds are, you know or have known someone who’s endured breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, it’s the most common cancer impacting women in the United States, aside from skin cancer, and there’s a one-in-eight chance that a woman will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Knowing those odds, it’s important to educate yourself on the topic — and to have regular check-ups and mammograms — so you know what to look for and what steps to take to prioritize your health.

To get you started, here are some myths and facts about breast cancer.

1. Myth: I have no family of breast cancer, so I’m not at risk.

Fact: Many, many women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have no family connection. According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation only 10 to 15 percent of cancers have a connection to inherited gene mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2.

2. Myth: If I don’t have large breasts, I’m not at risk.

Fact: While it’s true that it can be more challenging to detect cancer in certain types of breasts, including those that are larger and when breast tissue is dense, the size of one’s breasts doesn’t make them any more or less at risk. Anyone can get breast cancer, including people with smaller breasts and even men.

3. Myth: Only older women get breast cancer.

Fact: While breast cancer is more common in women 50 and older, it can strike someone at any age. Alarmingly, breast cancer diagnoses in younger women have been on the rise, according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and the types of breast cancer seen in younger women are more likely to be aggressive.

4. Myth: I examine my breasts and haven’t noticed anything different, so I’m fine.

Fact: You should still get a mammogram if you’re in your 40s or older (see below for specific recommendations). Breast cancer can take time to develop and can show a variety up in a variety of ways. A mammogram is important because it can detect changes happening in the breast that might be cancer years before any symptoms arise. “Results from many decades of research clearly show that women who have regular mammograms are more likely to have breast cancer found earlier, are less likely to need aggressive treatments like surgery to remove the entire breast (mastectomy) and chemotherapy, and are more likely to be cured,” says the American Cancer Society.

5. Myth: I don’t need a mammogram until I’m older.

Fact: The American Cancer Society recommends that women who are at an average risk of developing breast cancer consider getting screened starting at age 40. The organization’s further recommendations state:

• Between ages 40 and 44, women can start screening with a mammogram annually.
• Between ages 45 to 54, women should get mammograms annually.
• At 55 and older, women can continue their annual schedule or switch to every other year. Generally speaking, women should continue to get screened as long as they are in good health and expect to live at least 10 more years.

6. Myth: Breast cancer starts with a lump in the breast.

Fact: There are several different types of breast cancer, which can present in an array of ways. While a lump in the breast can be breast cancer, a lump could also be benign. Other signs and symptoms that could indicate breast cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), include the following:

• A lump in the armpit
• An area of thickness or swelling on the breast
• Breast skin that appears dimpled or feels irritated
• Skin that is red or flaky on the breast or nipple  
• A sensation of pulling or pain on or near the nipple
• Discharge from the nipple (other than breast milk), which could include blood
• A change in a breast’s size or shape
• Any kind of pain related to the breast

7. Myth: My race and/or ethnic heritage doesn’t impact my experience of breast cancer.

Fact: While white women are more likely than Black women to get breast cancer, according to the CDC, Black women die more frequently from the disease. That’s because Black women are often diagnosed later, at a more aggressive stage.

8. Myth: There’s nothing I can do to lower my risk of breast cancer.

Fact: while that may be true for some types of breast cancer, research shows that there are actions people can take that may, indeed, lower their risk, according to the CDC. Those include the following:

• Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can make some people more susceptible to several health challenges, including high blood pressure, diabetes and even certain types of cancer. It’s worth noting that after menopause, a woman’s estrogen primarily comes from fat tissue. Women with more fat tissue may have more estrogen, and that can increase the breast cancer risk, according to the American Cancer Society. At the same time, for women who were overweight before menopause, the risk of breast cancer may actually be lower.
• Be active. The benefits of exercise are boundless. Not only can regular workouts help you maintain a healthy weight, but physical activity also helps reduce the risk for several health conditions, including high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, depression, and anxiety—and, yes, certain types of cancer, including breast cancer. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity five days a week.
• Don’t drink alcohol (or moderate your drinking). There’s a clear link between alcohol and breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. So much so that women who consume one drink a day have a 7-10% increase in risk and women who have two to three drinks per day have a 20% higher risk of developing breast cancer.
• Breastfeed your children. If you’re deciding whether or not to breastfeed your babies, know that doing so may lower your risk for breast cancer down the line. Nursing can also reduce your risk for ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure—and the benefits for the child are well-documented.
• Talk to your doctor about any birth control and hormone replacement therapy decisions. Some types of birth control and menopause therapy rely on hormones, which may increase your risk for breast cancer. It’s a personal decision, and it’s important to talk to your doctor and discuss the benefits vs risks.

When you learn about the signs, symptoms, risks and realities of breast cancer, you’re better prepared to take action when and if needed. The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to see your doctor regularly and get your mammograms on schedule. When it comes to cancer, early detection can save lives.