Breast Cancer Risk Factors
The greatest risk factors for developing breast cancers are
being a woman and growing older.
A majority of patients diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.
The causes of breast cancer are not fully known. However, health and medical researchers have identified a number of factors that increase a woman’s chances of getting breast cancer. Risk factors are not causes of breast cancer, but are associated with an increased chance of getting breast cancer. It is important to note that some women have many risk factors but never get breast cancer, and others have few or no risk factors but do get the disease.
Being a woman is the number one risk factor for breast cancer. For this reason, it is important to practice the steps to good breast health – routine mammograms, regular clinical breast exams and monthly breast self-exams (BSE) remain the best line of defense for early breast cancer detection. See your healthcare provider to discuss your personal risk and your breast health needs.
AGE:
Aging is the single most important factor for the development of breast cancer. As a woman becomes older, her risk of breast cancer increases.
Age |
Risk of developing breast cancer |
20 |
1 in 1,985 |
Source: American Cancer Society Surveillance Research, 2005.
Factors That May Increase Risk of Breast Cancer
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Getting Older – the older you get, the greater your risk of breast cancer
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Having an inherited mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 breast cancer genes
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Having a previous biopsy showing hyperplasia or carcinoma in situ
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Having a mother, daughter or sister who has had breast cancer
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Having high breast density on a mammogram
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Exposure to large amounts of radiation, such as having very frequent spine X-rays during scoliosis treatment or treatment for Hodgkin’s disease at a young age
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A personal history of breast or ovarian cancer
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Starting menopause after age 55
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Never having children
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Having your first child after age 30
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Being overweight after menopause or gaining weight as an adult
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Having more than one drink of alcohol per day
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Currently or recently using combined estrogen and progesterone hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
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Being young (12 or younger) at the time of your first period
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Taking birth control pills for 5 years or longer
Source: Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Facts of Life, 2006.
