What You Should Know
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women, second only to skin cancers. According to the latest National Cancer Institute reports, there are an estimated 2.4 million women living with a history of breast cancer. There are many risk factors and preventative measures women should be aware of in the fight against breast cancer. Knowing what to look for and steps to take can be very beneficial to your health.
Risk Factors
There are many risk factors for breast cancer. However, having a risk factor does not necessarily mean that a person will get the disease. Some women with one or more breast cancer risk factors never get the disease while others with no known risk factors will develop the disease. There are different kinds of risk factors. Some risk factors cannot be changed while some are related to personal choices. And, a woman’s risk for breast cancer can change over time.
Breast cancer risk factors a person cannot change include:
- Gender - Being a woman is the main risk factor for developing breast cancer.
- Aging - Your risk of developing breast cancer increases as you get older.
- Genetic risk factors - Recent studies have shown that about five to ten percent of breast cancer cases are hereditary as a result of gene changes (mutations).
- Family history of breast cancer - Breast cancer risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have had 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.
- Race - White women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than are African-American women.
- Menstrual periods - Women who started menstruating at an early age (before age 13) or who went through menopause at a late age (after age 51) have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer.
Personal choices that may be risk factors for breast cancer include:
- Not having children - Women who have had no children or who have had their first child after the age of 30 have a slightly higher breast cancer risk.
- Oral contraceptive use -It is still uncertain what part oral contraceptives (birth control pills) may play in breast cancer risk.
- Hormone replacement therapy - The American Cancer Society reports that recent research studies have led doctors to re-think the health benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Talk to your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before starting any HRT.
Hormone Replacement Therapy and Cancer Risk- American Cancer Society
- Breastfeeding - Some studies suggest that breastfeeding may slightly lower breast cancer risks.
- Alcohol - Use of alcohol is clearly linked to a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer.
- Obesity - Being overweight has been found to be a breast cancer risk factor in all studies, especially for women after menopause.
- Physical activity - Evidence is growing that physical activity in the form of exercise reduces breast cancer risk.
Preventative Measures
While women at every age should know what their breasts normally feel and look like, here are some steps you can take at different ages to make sure your breast health is at its best.
Twenties
Women in their 20s should report any breast changes to their healthcare professional right away and should have a clinical breast examination as part of a regular health exam by a health professional at least every three years. Monthly breast self exam is an option for women starting in their 20s.
Thirties
Women in their 30s should have a clinical breast examination as part of a regular health exam by a healthcare professional at least every three years as well as well as performing monthly breast self exams.
Forties plus
Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health. They should have a breast exam by a healthcare professional every year and perform monthly breast self exams.
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