BREAST CANCER: WHO IS AT RISK?
The exact cause of breast cancer is as yet unknown. Doctors can seldom explain why one woman gets breast cancer and another does not.
What is known
- Breast Cancer can affect anyone irrespective of age, race or lifestyle.
- Bumping, bruising, or touching the breast does not directly cause breast cancer.
- Breast cancer is not contagious. You cannot "catch" breast cancer.
- Using microwaves ovens does not directly cause breast cancer.
- There is no link between abortion or miscarriage and the development of breast cancer.
- Early detection of breast cancer increases the chance of survival
Risk Factors
A Risk Factor is anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease. Risk factors for the development of breast cancer include (not in any particular order)
- Age
- Personal history of breast cancer
- Family history
- Certain breast changes
- Alterations in specific biological genes
- Early first menstrual period (<12 years old)
- Late menopause (>55 years old)
- Not having had any children (nulliparity)
- Having had children at a late age
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for >5 years
- Race
- Radiation therapy to the chest below the age of 30: e.g. for Hodgkin's lymphoma
- High breast density (more non-fatty tissue in breast)
- Obesity
- Unbalanced Diet
- Lack of exercise
- Alcohol consumption over 2 units a day (1 unit = small glass of wine, a measure of spirits or half a pint of beer)
Remember!
Many risk factors can be avoided. Others, such as family history, cannot be avoided. It is helpful to be aware of risk factors. But it is also important to keep in mind that most women who have these risk factors do not get breast cancer. Also, most women who develop breast cancer have no history of the disease in their family. In fact, except for growing older, most women with breast cancer have no strong risk factors.
However, any woman who thinks she may be at risk of breast cancer should discuss her concerns with her GP.
