Risk Factors
A risk factor is anything that increases the possibility of developing a disease. We do not know the exact causes of breast cancer, but here are some known risk factors:
Gender
Women are about 100 times more likely to get breast cancer than men.
Age
Women over the age of 50 are at an increased risk for breast cancer.
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Personal History
Women who have previously had breast cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, or colon cancer are at higher risk for breast cancer.
Family History
Women with a close relative (mother, sister, or daughter) who has had breast cancer are two to three times more likely to get the disease.
Genetics
An inherited mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene can greatly increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. Women with a mutation in one of these genes may have up to a 40-65% risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime and are more likely to develop breast cancer at a young age. Women should talk to a doctor about the benefits and risks of genetic testing and counseling.
Ethnicity
White women are at slightly higher risk for breast cancer than African-American women.
Benign Breast Conditions
Women with benign (non-cancerous) breast conditions such as atypical hyperplasia may be at an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Atypical hyperplasia is the overgrowth of abnormal, but non-cancerous cells in the lining of the breast ducts or lobules.
Dense Breast Tissue
Women with dense breast tissue have a higher risk for breast cancer. Dense breast tissue is less fatty and more glandular and appears white on X-rays, making difficult to spot .
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Lobular carcinoma in situ
Women diagnosed with LCIS are at higher risk of breast cancer. LCIS refers to abnormal cells in the lobules of the breast that has not spread to nearby tissue. "In situ" means in its original place.
Obesity
Obesity may increase a woman's estrogen levels, making her more likely to develop breast cancer.
Estrogen/Hormone Therapy
The greater a woman's exposure to estrogen and progesterone, the greater the chance she has to develop breast cancer.
Menstrual Cycle
Women who started having menstrual cycles before age 12 or stopped menstruating after age 55 are at an increased risk for breast cancer.
Childbirth
Women who have a first child after age 30 or who have never had children have an increased risk for breast cancer.
Alcohol
Regular alcohol consumption - more than two drinks a day - increases a woman's risk for breast cancer.
DES
Women who took diethylstilbestrol (DES) in the 1940s-1960s to prevent miscarriage may have a higher risk for breast cancer after age 40.
Birth Control
Women who use birth control pills may be at slightly higher risk of breast cancer than women who have never used them.
Diet
Women who eat unhealthy diet high in red meat, processed meats and animal fats may be at an increased risk for breast cancer.
Women can lower their risk of breast cancer by living a healthy lifestyle with a nutritious diet and plenty of physical activity, and by avoiding alcohol and tobacco products. Furthermore, women can increase the chances of finding breast cancer early by having yearly screening mammograms and performing regular self breast-exams. If you are at high risk, your doctor may recommend taking anti-estrogen medication ( such as tamoxifen) or having additional screening studies like a breast MRI.
