| Anything that may increase the chance of developing | | | | she is at a greater risk of breast cancer. Taking |
| a disease is considered a risk factor. As research has | | | | menopausal hormone therapy with estrogen plus |
| indicated women with certain risk factors are more | | | | progestin after menopause appears to increase risks |
| likely than others to develop breast cancer. | | | | for breast cancer. Studies have shown no link |
| The exact causes for breast cancer are not known. | | | | between miscarriage or abortion and risks for breast |
| Often doctors cannot explain why one woman may | | | | cancer. |
| develop breast cancer but another does not. What is | | | | Race is another risk factor for breast cancer. |
| known is that bruising, bumping or touching the | | | | Caucasian women more often than Latina, African or |
| breast does not cause cancer. Breast cancer is not | | | | Asian American women are diagnosed with breast |
| contagious. It is not "caught" from others. | | | | cancer. |
| There have been studies that have revealed some | | | | Radiation therapy performed to the chest, including |
| of the risk factors for breast cancer. Among those | | | | the breast, before a woman is age 30 is another |
| risk factors are a woman's age, a family or personal | | | | known risk factor for breast cancer. Studies indicate |
| history of breast cancer, changes in her breast, | | | | the younger the age of a woman when she received |
| changes in her genes and her menstrual history. | | | | radiation treatment the higher the risk for breast |
| Other risk factors for breast cancer include a | | | | cancer in later life. |
| woman's race, if she has had radiation therapy to the | | | | A woman's breast tissue is either fatty or dense. |
| chest, and her breast density. Still other factors for | | | | Placing them at a higher risk of breast cancer are |
| breast cancer include taking diethylstilbestrol (DES), | | | | older women whose mammograms, or breast x-rays, |
| her being overweight or obese after menopause, not | | | | reveal more dense tissue. |
| being physically active, and her alcohol consumption. | | | | Diethylstilbestrol, also known as DES, was given to |
| Breast cancer is not common in women before | | | | some pregnant women in the United States during |
| menopause. As women age their chances for breast | | | | the 1940's until 1971. This is no longer given to |
| cancer development can increase. Breast cancer | | | | pregnant women. Taking DES during pregnancy may |
| occurrence is greater for women over age 60. | | | | slightly increase the risk for breast cancer. The |
| The chance of a woman developing breast cancer is | | | | possible effects on the daughters of women who |
| greater if her mother, sister or daughter has a | | | | were given DES while pregnant are still being studied. |
| history of the disease. If a family member developed | | | | A woman being overweight or obese after |
| breast cancer before the age of 40, the risk is even | | | | menopause can increase a woman's risk for |
| greater for a woman developing breast cancer. Other | | | | developing breast cancer. Studies have indicated that |
| relatives having breast cancer, either on her maternal | | | | after menopause the risk increases for women who |
| or paternal side of the family, can also place a | | | | are overweight. |
| woman at greater risk for developing breast cancer. | | | | A physically inactive lifestyle may contribute to risks |
| Having a personal history of breast cancer can also | | | | for breast cancer. If a woman is active it can |
| increase a woman's risk. If a woman has had breast | | | | prevent weight gain and obesity and therefore |
| cancer in one breast the risk of getting breast cancer | | | | reduce chances for breast cancer. |
| in the other breast increase. | | | | Drinking alcohol increases risks for breast cancer. |
| Changes in a woman's breast can place a woman at | | | | Studies indicate the more alcohol a woman drinks her |
| risk for breast cancer. Cells in a woman's breast may | | | | risk for breast cancer increase. |
| look abnormal under a microscope. Abnormal cells | | | | Researchers are currently studying other possible risk |
| such as atypical hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in | | | | factors for breast cancer. Currently being studied are |
| situ (or LCIS) increase a woman's risk for breast | | | | the effect of diet, genetics, physical activity, and |
| cancer. | | | | certain environmental substances increasing the risks |
| Changes in a woman's genes including BRCA1, | | | | for breast cancer. |
| BRCA2, and others may increase the risk for breast | | | | Avoiding known risk factors for breast cancer can |
| cancer. Tests from family members who have been | | | | help women protect themselves against breast |
| known to have breast cancer can reveal the | | | | cancer. Risk factors for breast cancer such as family |
| presence of specific gene changes in family members. | | | | history cannot be avoided. These should be discussed |
| In order to improve the detection of this disease in | | | | with her doctor. |
| women who have these changes in their genes | | | | Most women who have known risk factors do not |
| health care providers may be able to suggest ways | | | | get breast cancer. Many women with breast cancer |
| to try to reduce the risk of breast cancer. | | | | do not have a family history of the disease. Most |
| A woman's menstrual and reproductive history can | | | | women with breast cancer have no clear sign for risk |
| place a woman at risk for breast cancer. Women | | | | factors other than growing older. |
| having their first menstrual period before age 12 have | | | | If a woman thinks she is at risk for breast cancer |
| a greater risk for developing breast cancer. The risk | | | | she should discuss her concern with her doctor. Her |
| of breast cancer increase the older a woman is when | | | | doctor may be able to suggest ways she can reduce |
| she had her first child. A woman going through | | | | her risk. At risk or not, a woman should plan |
| menopause after age 55 places her at greater risk | | | | scheduled checkups with her health care provider. |
| for breast cancer. If a woman has never had children | | | | Prevention is the best cure. |