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The American Cancer Society estimates the lifetime risk of a woman developing breast cancer is 13 percent or almost one in eight. In many cases, it's not known why a woman gets breast cancer. In fact, 75 percent of all women with breast cancer have no known risk factors. A risk factor is anything that makes it more likely you'll get a particular disease. But having one or even several risk factors doesn't necessarily mean you'll develop cancer. Most women with breast cancer have no known risk factors other than simply being women. Things that can increase your risk of breast cancer include:
Increasing age. Your risk of breast cancer increases as you age. Women older than 60 have a greater risk than do younger women.
A personal history of breast cancer. If you've had breast cancer in one breast, you have an increased risk of developing cancer in the other breast.
A family history of breast cancer. If you have a mother, sister or daughter with breast cancer, you have a greater chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Still, the majority of people diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.
Inherited genes that increase cancer risk. Certain gene mutations that increase the risk of breast cancer can be passed from parents to children. The most common gene mutations are referred to as BRCA1 and BRCA2. These genes can greatly increase your risk of breast cancer and other cancers, but they don't make cancer inevitable.
Radiation exposure. If you received radiation treatments to your chest as a child or young adult, you're more likely to develop breast cancer later in life.
Obesity. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of breast cancer.
Beginning your period at a younger age. Beginning your period before age 12 increases your risk of breast cancer.
Beginning menopause at an older age. If you began menopause after age 55, you're more likely to develop breast cancer.
Having your first child at an older age. Women who give birth to their first child after age 35 may have an increased risk of breast cancer.
Postmenopausal hormone therapy. Women who take hormone therapy medications that combine estrogen and progesterone to treat the signs and symptoms of menopause have an increased risk of breast cancer.
Drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol may increase the risk of breast cancer.
But having a cancer risk factor, or even several of them, does not necessarily mean that a person will get cancer. Some women with one or more breast cancer risk factors never develop it, while most women with breast cancer have no apparent risk factors.
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com
http://www.cancer.gov
http://www.imaginis.com
Mc Ortega is the former publicist for the late Walter Payton, Coca-Cola and Dunkin’ Donuts. Ortega is a senior communications and messaging executive specializing in media relations, social media, program development and crisis communications. Also, Ortega is an avid traveler and international shopper. Ortega resides with her partner, Craig, dog, Fionne and extensive shoe collection. Ortega also enjoys jewelry design/production and flamenco dancing.
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Next to age, breast density is the single greatest risk factor for developing Breast Cancer but it is not even included in this list! Why aren't women being educated about significant risk???
March 8, 2011 - 10:16pmBrenda Peters - BC Survivor and soon to be law maker for communicating breast density information to patients.
This Comment
Many of my clients have had breast cancer, so cancer prevention is at the top of my list. Thank you for your article. Dr. A
May 14, 2010 - 3:03pmThis Comment