Fast Facts
White women are slightly more likely to get breast cancer. African American women are more likely to die from it.
YOUR RISKS
What are the risk factors for breast cancer?
Some things you cannot change…
Being a Woman
Men get breast cancer too, but the disease is about 100 times more common among women. Women have many more breast cells than men. Perhaps, because female hormones make breasts grow in the first place, these hormones make some women's breast cells more likely to grow abnormally and out of control, causing cancer.
Aging
Your risk increases as you get older. Breast cancer is very rare among teens. Some women in their 20s or 30s get breast cancer, but about 18% of women who get breast cancer are in their 40s. About 77% of women who get it are older than 50.
Genes and Family History
If you have a first-degree blood relative, such as your mother or sister, who has had breast cancer, you are at higher risk of developing it yourself. This is especially true if your relative had breast cancer before age 50. However, most women who get breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease.
As explained, there are some abnormal genes that can run in families. Recent studies show that only about 5% to 10% of breast cancers are known to come from these specific genes. Genetic testing is the only way to know if you have one of these genes. It's important to know that having a family history of the disease does not guarantee you will get it.
Some things you can change…
Drinking alcohol
Alcohol can raise the level of hormones in your blood, including hormones made by fat cells. These hormones can increase your risk of breast cancer. More than 50 studies have shown that the more a woman drinks, the higher her risk of breast cancer. In addition, alcohol also can increase the risk of developing cancers of the mouth and throat.
Being overweight
Since fat cells make certain hormones, it stands to reason that if you are overweight, you may have more of these hormones in your blood. All you really need to know is that being overweight increases your risk of breast cancer. Eating fatty foods may increase your risk, too.
Using oral contraceptives
Some studies have suggested that women using birth control pills have a slightly greater risk of breast cancer. At one time, this may have been true. Today, we are not so sure. If birth control pills do pose a small risk, this risk must be weighed against the benefits, such as preventing unwanted pregnancy. Discuss your risk factors with your doctor. He or she can help you decide if birth control pills are a good choice for you.
Smoking
Smoking is bad for you, period! There is evidence that suggests it can increase your risk of breast cancer, especially if you start smoking when you are young. Smoking hurts your overall health in many ways. It can lead to many cancers, including those of the mouth, throat, lungs, kidneys, and bladder.
Not having children
Women who've never had children and women who have their children after the age of 35 have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer.