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Health Conditions
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Breast Cancer
What are the risk factors?
Several risk factors have been identified as having a potential relationship to the development of breast cancer. These include:
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Advanced age
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Personal or family history of breast cancer
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Menstrual periods beginning at an early age (before age 12)
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Abnormal BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (genetic testing can identify if you carry these genes)
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Late menopause (after age 55)
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Never having children
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Having first child after age 30
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Obesity (especially noted in postmenopausal women)
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Long term use of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (greater than 5 years)
- Benign breast disease
- Oral contraceptive use(however recent studies have shown this to not be as significant as once thought)
- Alcohol consumption
- Having received radiation before age 40
Since most of these risk factors are not easily modified, early detection is very important. The American Cancer Society recommends a breast self examination (BSE) monthly for all women older than 20, a Clinical Breast Exam (performed by a healthcare professional) every 3 years (from ages 20-39), and a Mammogram annually for women older than 40.
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Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition once it has been diagnosed.
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What are the risk factors?
