Risk Factors Associated with Developing Breast Cancer
- Gender: Being a women is the biggest risk factor for being diagnosed with breast cancer
- Aging: Majority of all breast cancer diagnoses are in women over age 50.
- Family History: Breast cancer risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have this disease.
- Personal history of breast cancer: A woman with cancer in one breast has a three- to four-fold increased risk of developing a new cancer in the other breast or in another part of the same breast.
- Race: White women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than are African-American women.
- Previous abnormal breast biopsy
- Early onset of menstrual period (before age 12)
- Late onset of menopause (after age 55)
- Previous breast radiation: Women who as children or young adults have had radiation therapy to the chest area as treatment for another cancer (such as Hodgkin disease or non-Hodgkin lymphoma) have a significantly increased risk for breast cancer.
- Use of Diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy.
Lifestyle-related Factors and Breast Cancer Risk
- Not having children, or having your first child after age 30.
- Oral contraceptive use: It is still not certain what part oral contraceptives (birth control pills) might play in breast cancer risk.
- Hormone replacement therapy: It has become clear that long-term use (several years or more) of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after menopause, particularly estrogens and progesterone combined increase your risk of breast cancer.
- Breast-feeding and pregnancy: Some studies suggest that breast-feeding may slightly lower breast cancer risk, especially if breast-feeding is continued for 1.5 to 2 years. Other studies found no impact on breast cancer risk.
- Alcohol: Use of alcohol is clearly linked to a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer.
- Obesity and high-fat diets: Research has determined that obesity (being grossly overweight) is a risk factor for developing breast cancer, especially for women after menopause." Most studies have not found a connection between a high-fat diet and breast cancer. However, eating a low-fat diet makes good sense for overall health and to help prevent heart disease and other illnesses.
- Physical activity: Evidence is growing that physical activity in the form of exercise reduces breast cancer risk.