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.

Common Breast Cancer Risk Factors

As with many diseases, some risk factors cannot be changed while others are related to personal choices. And, a woman’s risk for breast cancer can change over time. For a complete list, please visit the American Cancer Society.

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.
• 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, though African American women are more likely to die from the disease.
• Breast Density: Women with dense breasts on a mammogram have a risk of breast cancer that is 1.2 to 2 times that of women with average breast density. Dense breast tissue can also make mammograms less accurate. It is often recommended that women with dense breasts have additional screening such as whole breast ultrasound (ABUS).
• 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:

• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): The American Cancer Society reports that recent research studies have led doctors to re-think the health benefits of HRT. Talk to your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before starting any HRT.
• 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.

Early Detection By Age

Twenties and Thirties

Women in their 20s and 30s should familiarize themselves with how their breasts normally look and feel and report any changes to their healthcare professional right away.

Forty to Mid-Seventy

Women aged 40-73 should get a mammogram every year. Decisions about screening can be discussed with referring physicians.

Seventy-four +

Women aged 74+ should talk with their healthcare provider about continued yearly screening. Considerations should include:

1. The woman's personal breast cancer risk factors
2. The woman's preference regarding the potential benefit versus the disadvantage of additional testing the mammogram may generate
3. Her age
4. Her health status

Learn More About Common Breast Conditions

Breast Cancer 
Breast Cysts 
Dense Breasts
Fibrocystic Breasts

Schedule an Appointment with Saint Francis Breast Health Services

Saint Francis Health System offers screening and diagnostic mammography, Breast MRI, Breast Ultrasound and Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS) at various locations across eastern Oklahoma. Please view our service locations for scheduling information.

Mammography 
Breast MRI 
Breast Ultrasound 
Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS) 
Breast Health Locations