Research is ongoing to identify the exact cause of breast cancer. Researchers have, however, identified several breast cancer risk factors. A risk factor is something that increases the chance that a person will develop a disease. It isn't a guarantee and doesn't predict a future diagnosis. Risk factors for breast cancer can include:
Family history of breast cancer: Having a mother, sister, or daughter with breast cancer doubles your risk of the disease. While family history can play a role in breast cancer development, women should not subscribe to the popular belief that women without a family history of breast cancer are not at risk. The American Cancer Society estimates that 70 to 80 percent or women with breast cancer do not have a family history that include breast cancer. Women who have previously been diagnosed and treatment for breast are at a greater risk of developing breast cancer again.
Age: As we grow older, our risk of developing breast cancer increases. It is estimated that 80 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer are 50 or older. This does not mean that younger girls or women are not at risk. Young women are diagnosed with breast cancer, just much less.
Race: Of all women, Caucasian women are diagnosed more frequently than women of other race. Though Caucasian women are the most at risk, it is African women who die of the disease the most. Asian, Native American, and Hispanic women have less of a risk.
Alcohol consumption: Women who drink alcohol increase their breast cancer risk and the risk is heightened with the amount of alcohol consumption. Women who drink 2-5 drink a day increase their risk by 1 1/2 when compared to women who don't drink alcohol. One drink a day only slightly elevates a women's risk.
Family planning choices: Women who choose not to have children them after age 30 somewhat increase their risk of breast cancer.
Genetics: Genetics may play a role in up to 10 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer. Hereditary breast cancer occur when a mutated gene has been passed down from a parent. The most common genetic mutation is that of the BRCA gene pair, repairing to as 'BRCA1' and 'BRCA2'. These genes are responsible for regulating cell growth and repairing damaged DNA, but don't properly function if mutated. Those who are found through genetic testing cancer. Other carriers of mutated BRCA genes are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Other carriers of mutated BRCA genes are at an increase risk of developing breast cancer. Other gene types have been associated to breast cancer, but not as prevalently as the BRCA genes.
Breast cancer facts
Family history of breast cancer: Having a mother, sister, or daughter with breast cancer doubles your risk of the disease. While family history can play a role in breast cancer development, women should not subscribe to the popular belief that women without a family history of breast cancer are not at risk. The American Cancer Society estimates that 70 to 80 percent or women with breast cancer do not have a family history that include breast cancer. Women who have previously been diagnosed and treatment for breast are at a greater risk of developing breast cancer again.
Age: As we grow older, our risk of developing breast cancer increases. It is estimated that 80 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer are 50 or older. This does not mean that younger girls or women are not at risk. Young women are diagnosed with breast cancer, just much less.
Race: Of all women, Caucasian women are diagnosed more frequently than women of other race. Though Caucasian women are the most at risk, it is African women who die of the disease the most. Asian, Native American, and Hispanic women have less of a risk.
Alcohol consumption: Women who drink alcohol increase their breast cancer risk and the risk is heightened with the amount of alcohol consumption. Women who drink 2-5 drink a day increase their risk by 1 1/2 when compared to women who don't drink alcohol. One drink a day only slightly elevates a women's risk.
Family planning choices: Women who choose not to have children them after age 30 somewhat increase their risk of breast cancer.
Genetics: Genetics may play a role in up to 10 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer. Hereditary breast cancer occur when a mutated gene has been passed down from a parent. The most common genetic mutation is that of the BRCA gene pair, repairing to as 'BRCA1' and 'BRCA2'. These genes are responsible for regulating cell growth and repairing damaged DNA, but don't properly function if mutated. Those who are found through genetic testing cancer. Other carriers of mutated BRCA genes are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Other carriers of mutated BRCA genes are at an increase risk of developing breast cancer. Other gene types have been associated to breast cancer, but not as prevalently as the BRCA genes.
Breast cancer facts
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women.
- One in every eight women in the US develops breast cancer
- The cause of this cancer are not yet fully known although a number of risk factors have been identified
- There are many types of breast cancer that differ in their capability of spreading to other body tissue
- Breast cancer is diagnosed with physician and self-examination of the breasts, mammography, ultrasound and biopsy.
- Treatment of breast cancer depends on the type of cancer and its stage.
- Over 200,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed each year.
- Nearly 40,000 women are expected to die of breast cancer in 2012.
- There are over 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the US.
- The recommendations regarding frequency and age when women should get screening mammography differ slightly between different organizations and task forces.
- Between 40 and 50 years of age, mammograms are recommended every 1 to 2 years. After 50 years of age, yearly mammograms are recommended ( American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology).
- You should discuss with your health care professional the screening frequency that he or she recommend and what guidelines they follow.
- Patients with a family history of specific risk factors might have a different screening schedule starting mammograms at an earlier age.
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