Breast Cancer Risk
Factors
Until today the exact causes of breast
cancer is still not clear. Doctors are at lost to explain why that
woman develops breast cancer while the other woman next door
doesn't. They do know that bumping, bruising, or touching the breast
does not cause cancer. And breast cancer is not contagious. You
cannot "catch" it from another person.
Results from years of research has
shown that women with certain risk factors are more likely than
others to develop breast cancer. Risk factors is some sort like a
form of guidance that you can follow in order to prevent breast
cancer.
The following are risk factors for breast cancer:
- Age Factor:
As women gets older so does the chance of getting breast
cancer increase, notably in women over 60 years of age.
- Personal
History: Women who had breast cancer before, has an
increased risk of getting cancer in her other breast.
- Family
History: If your mother, sister or relative in either your
father's or mother's family had breast cancer before age 40, the
risk of getting breast cancer is significantly higher.
- Abnormal
Cells: Some women have cells in the breast that look abnormal
under a microscope. Atypical hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma
in situ (LCIS) increases the risk of breast cancer.
- Breast
Density: Breast
tissue may be dense or fatty. Older women whose mammograms
(breast x-rays) show more dense tissue are at increased risk of
breast cancer.
- Lack of
Exercise:
Women who are physically inactive throughout life may have an
increased risk of breast cancer. Being active may help reduce
risk by preventing weight gain and
obesity.
- Race:
Typically breast cancer is diagnosed more often in white women
than Latina, Asian, or African American women.
- Drinking
Alcohol: Studies suggest that the more alcohol a women
drinks, the greater her risk of breast cancer.
- Reproductive and
Menstrual History:
- Women who
have her pregnancy in age 30 and above, are at greater
chance of breast cancer.
- Girl who
had their first menstrual period before 12 years old, had
increased risk of getting breast cancer.
- Women who
never had children are at an increased risk of breast
cancer.
- Women who
went through menopause after 55 years old are at an
increased risk of breast cancer.
Other possible risk factors are under
study. Scientist are studying the effect of diet, physical activity
and genetics on breast cancer risk. They are also studying whether
certain substances in the environment can increase the risk of
breast cancer.
Many risk factors can be avoided, while
family history as such, can't be avoided. However, it is also
important to keep in mind that most women who have known risk
factors do not get breast cancer. In fact, most women with breast
cancer do not have a family history of the disease.
The truth is, most women with breast
cancer have no clear risk factors. If you think you may be at risk,
you should discuss this concern with your doctor. Your doctor may be
able to suggest ways to reduce your risk and can plan a schedule for
checkups.
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