Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

There are many different risk factors for breastof developing breast cancer. If a mother and sister
cancer. The most significant of these risks factors isboth have breast cancer then the risk is increased.
gender and age. Most occurrences of breast cancerA history of breast cancer also leaves women at a
occur in a certain gender and age group. Even thoughgreater risk of developing the same cancer. This
those outside this gender and age group are still athappens when the cancer cells spread to the lymph
risk for breast cancer, the risk is not as great.glands. There is a great risk that the cancer will
Women are at the greatest risk of developing breastdevelop in the opposite breast. When breast
cancer. Contrary to what many people believe, menconservation therapy is used as treatment for the
can also develop breast cancer. However, womencancer, there is a risk of cancer redeveloping in the
are at a much greater risk of developing breastsame breast.
cancer than men. Age also plays a factor in theSome hormonal factors increase the risk of breast
development of breast cancer. The cancer is farcancer. A woman who started her menstrual period
more common in women over 50 versus womenbefore the age of 12 has a slightly increased risk of
under 20.developing breast cancer. This is also true of women
Women who have relatives with breast cancer arethat have menopause after 55, women who have a
also at a greater risk of developing the cancerfirst child after age 30, and women that have never
themselves. This risk increases with first-degreehad children.
relatives like a mother, sister, or daughter. A maleIf you happen to fall into this category,You should
relative with prostate cancer also increases the riskhave a mamograhm at Least once a year.