In health, risk factors are anything (attributes, characteristics or exposures) that increase the likelihood of a person developing a health disease or disorder. Some risk factors are within your control, while others are not. The case is no different for breast cancer.
RISK FACTORS YOU CANNOT CHANGE
- Gender
Being a woman increases your risk of developing breast cancer. Men do get breast cancer too, but the risk is higher in women than it is in men. This is due to the constant evolving nature of women’s breasts due to the influence of the hormones estrogen and progesterone
- Growing Older
Simply growing older increases your risk of developing breast cancer. It’s been found that most cases of breast cancer are diagnosed around 50 years
- Family History of Breast Cancer
Your risk of developing breast cancer increases when you have a first degree relative who has been diagnosed with breast cancer or ovarian cancer. First degree relatives in this case include your mother, daughter or sister. It also includes first degree male relatives who have had breast cancer, being your father, son or brother.
Also, the risk increases if you have had multiple relatives on either your father or mother’s side, who have been diagnosed with either breast or ovarian cancer.
- Genetic Mutations
Some women inherit changes to certain genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2. These inherited mutations increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer
- Reproductive History
Early menstruation or late onset of menopause expose women to hormones longer. This increases the risk of breast cancer
- Personal History of Breast Cancer
People who have had breast cancer before are at a higher risk of getting it again, either in the same breast or in the other breast
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Pregnancy and breastfeeding appears to reduce a woman’s overall risk of breast cancer. Women who have never had a full term pregnancy, or had their first full-term pregnancy after 30years appear to be at higher risk. Breastfeeding also, apparently slightly reduces the risk of breast cancer, especially if it is continued for 1 and half to 2 years
- Cellular Changes to the Breasts
Abnormal changes to the breast such as an overgrowth of cells or the finding of abnormal cells usually put one at risk of developing breast cancer. These cellular changes are usually seen during a breast biopsy
- Radiation Therapy to The Chest
Radiation therapy to the chest as a child or young adult, especially when the breasts are still developing, increase the risk of breast cancer
- Exposure to Diethylstilbestrol (DES)
This drug, a synthetic estrogen, was used to prevent miscarriage, premature labor and related pregnancy complications between 1940 and 1970. Women who took this drug are at higher risk of developing breast cancer. Women whose mothers took this drug are also at risk
RISK FACTORS YOU CAN CHANGE
- Weight
Obesity and being overweight, especially after menopause, have been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer. This is because after menopause, body fat is the body’s reservoir for estrogen, since the ovaries are no longer producing the hormone. Therefore, the more fat tissue you have, the greater your risk
- Physical Activity
Not being physically active has been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer. There is evidence to show that regular exercise reduces this risk
- Diet
There is growing evidence to support that diet plays an important role in reducing breast cancer risk. It is recommended that meals are high in fruits and vegetables and kept low in saturated fats (that is, food sources where the fat is generally solid at room temperature e.g. fatty meat, butter). Avoid trans fats. Eat foods high in omega 3 fatty acids
- Alcohol Intake
Alcohol consumption affects the liver. The liver is responsible for controlling blood levels of the hormone estrogen, an excess of which is implicated in breast cancer. Impairing the liver’s function through alcohol consumption therefore increases risk
- Hormonal Therapy
Taking hormonal replacement therapy that contains estrogen for several years non-stop contributes to increasing the risk of breast cancer. Usually, this treatment is given to menopausal women. Oral contraceptives have also been associated with a small risk of breast cancer, but only for a limited time period
- Smoking
Is it’s associated with a slight increase in breast cancer risk
