At The Maurer Foundation, one of the most powerful parts of our programs is the conversation. Students are curious, thoughtful, and not afraid to ask the questions that are really on their minds.
Some questions make us smile. Some surprise us. And all of them matter.
Here are five real questions we’ve heard during our breast health education programs, along with clear, fact-based answers.
Question 1: “Why can’t men get mammograms?”
This is a great question, and a common misconception.
Men can get mammogramsA low dose x-ray picture of the breast that allows a doctor to view glandular tissue and determine the presence of cancer.. While men have much less breast tissue than women, they still have breast cells and can develop breast cancer (though it’s less common than in females).
If a man has symptoms like a lump or nipple changes, a doctor may recommend a mammogram or other imaging.
Bottom line: Breast cancer is not just a women’s issue. Everyone should pay attention to changes in their body.
Question 2: “Can dogs get breast cancer and can they smell it?”
Yes, dogs can get breast cancer. In fact, mammary tumors are one of the most common cancers in unspayed female dogs.
As for smelling cancer: dogs have an incredible sense of smell, and research (Can dogs smell cancer in humans?) has shown they can be trained to detect certain cancers, including breast cancer, by identifying subtle changes in scent. However, this is still an area of ongoing research and not a reliable screening method.
Bottom line: Your dog is amazing, but not a substitute for regular breast health screenings.
Question 3: “Can I catch breast cancer from someone else?”
No, breast cancer is not contagious.
You cannot catch it through physical contact, sharing food, or being close to someone who has it.
Breast cancer develops due to a combination of geneticInherited characteristics. and lifestyle factors, not because it’s spread from person to person.
Bottom line: Support your friends and loved ones without fear, breast cancer isn’t something you can “catch.”
Question 4: “Does caffeine increase your risk of breast cancer?”
Good news for coffee lovers: current research does not show a clear link between caffeine and an increased risk of breast cancer.
There’s even some encouraging research when it comes to outcomes. A 2021 study (Post-diagnostic coffee and tea consumption and breast cancer survival | British Journal of Cancer) suggests that coffee consumption may be associated with improved breast cancer survival. In the study, people who drank more than three cups of coffee per day had a 25% lower risk of dying from breast cancer compared to those who did not drink coffee.
Bottom line: Your morning coffee isn’t raising your breast cancer risk, and it may even have some benefits, but moderation and overall lifestyle still matter most.
Question 5: “Can the radiation from a mammogram cause breast cancer?”
This is a very common concern, and an important one to address.
Mammograms do use a small amount of radiation, but the dose is extremely low. To put it in perspective, a round-trip flight from New York to California exposes you to more radiation than a mammogram. The benefits of early detection far outweigh the minimal risk associated with this exposure. We are exposed to the same amount of radiation on a plane ride from New York to California.
In fact, detecting breast cancer early through mammography can significantly improve treatment outcomes and survival rates. For most people, routine screening is a safe and effective tool for protecting long-term health.
Bottom line: The radiation from a mammogram is very low, and screening remains one of the most important tools we have for early detection.
Why These Questions Matter
These questions remind us why breast health education is so important. When students feel comfortable asking honest questions, they’re more likely to understand their bodies, recognize changes, and take charge of their health.