Every day, science gives us new tips to help navigate our personal health journeys. That gold mine of knowledge can quickly feel like a maze of confusing — and sometimes conflicting advice. There are several things about breast cancer every woman, regardless of age or ethnicity, should know to manage your personal risk.

I’d like to debunk some common myths about breast cancer:

MYTH: Most women who develop breast cancer are genetically predisposed, so I can’t do anything to manage my risk. Actually, most do not have a family history of the disease or a genetic mutation linked to breast cancer (such as the BCRA1 or BCRA2 genes). Breast cancer risk is affected by a combination of both lifestyle choices and environmental exposures.

There are many proactive lifestyle choices you can make to reduce your risk, including: avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption; eating a healthy diet with emphasis on fruits, vegetables and whole grains; exercising regularly; and maintaining a healthy weight.

Women who have a family history of any of the breast cancer inducing genes should also have a discussion with their doctors about other steps that can be taken to decrease their risks of cancer.

MYTH: Certain foods — like red meat — increase your risk for cancer. Scientific studies have not linked any specific foods to an increased breast cancer risk. What has been shown to increase that risk is regular consumption of alcohol—even in moderation.

MYTH: Lumps or pain in the breast are always cancer. Breast tissue changes frequently due to varying hormone levels in the body—for example, during a woman’s menstrual cycle or lactation. Lumps can be benign overgrowths of breast tissue or just a cyst; however, any palpable lump should be examined by a medical professional immediately. Mammograms, breast ultrasounds, breast biopsies and other tests can aid in diagnosis.

MYTH: Hormone replacement therapy is harmless. Studies have shown that combination hormone replacement therapy (estrogen/progesterone) actually increases the risk of breast cancer. Breast cancer risk is associated with lifetime exposure to the female hormone, estrogen. This is why women who have had children or have breast fed for an extended period are at a slightly reduced risk for breast cancer–both those activities reduce a woman’s lifetime exposure to ovulation and therefore estrogen. Early menstruation and late menopause are associated with an increased risk for breast cancer for the same reason.

MYTH: I have to be an avid exerciser for it to reduce my breast cancer risk. Even moderate exercise — like brisk walking three or four times a week — can have an impact on breast cancer risk in addition to improving cardiovascular health. The important thing is to keep moving.

MYTH: Men do not get breast cancer. Although it is rare for men to have breast cancer, it is not uncommon, especially in those with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Any growing lump in the chest area should be evaluated by a physician to make sure it is not malignant.

Neetu Radhakrishnan, MD, is a board certified hematologist-oncologist with UC Health and Assistant Professor at the UC College of Medicine. She sees patients at the UC Health Physicians Office at University Pointe on Mondays and Thursdays in West Chester. For an appointment call (513) 584-8500.