| in their 30s are much less likely to develop breast | | | | promote tumor growth. |
| cancer than are women in their 60s 1. Still, some | | | | • Alcohol use: Excessive alcohol intake has |
| women develop the disease at a young age. If you | | | | been clearly linked to breast cancer, with women |
| are one of these young women with breast cancer, | | | | who drink two to five drinks a day having |
| you may be wondering, "Why me?" | | | | approximately 1.5 times the risk of developing breast |
| Because breast cancer develops for many of the | | | | cancer relative to women who drink no alcohol. |
| same reasons in both young and older women, it is | | | | • Physical activity: While this one is still up for |
| difficult to pinpoint why it sometimes strikes young | | | | debate, evidence is mounting that women who |
| women. Several different factors contribute to its | | | | engage in moderate exercise have their risk of |
| development, and many more are being discovered | | | | developing cancer reduced by 18 percent or more. |
| all the time. Some breast cancer risk factors include: | | | | The exact role of these factors in the development |
| • Genetic predisposition: Approximately 5 to | | | | of breast cancer in young women is unclear, as |
| 10 percent of breast cancer cases are a result of | | | | cancer is often a culmination of several risk factors. |
| genetic mutations, most commonly in the BRCA1 and | | | | If you were diagnosed at a young age, remember |
| BRCA2 genes. Women with these mutations often | | | | that you were not singled out. |
| develop breast cancer at a younger age. | | | | Breast Cancer Prevention: The Big Picture |
| • Atypical hyperplasia (A benign – | | | | While scientists are still seeking ways for women to |
| noncancerous – condition in which cells look | | | | prevent cancer, no sure-fire method of breast cancer |
| abnormal under a microscope and are increased in | | | | prevention has been found. Women with certain risk |
| number): This condition increases a woman's risk of | | | | factors may not ever develop breast cancer; |
| developing cancer by between 4 or 5 times. | | | | conversely, many women with breast cancer may |
| • Previous radiation: Radiation on the chest | | | | have no obvious risk factors. |
| for a previous cancer, such as during childhood, | | | | It is important to remember that some breast cancer |
| significantly increases a woman's risk of breast cancer | | | | risk factors, such as genetic makeup, are completely |
| (some reports say by 12 times). | | | | out of your control. However, other risk factors, |
| • Menstrual periods: Women who began | | | | such as alcohol intake and amount of physical |
| menstruating early (before age 12) have a slightly | | | | exercise, are in your control, so do what you can to |
| higher risk of breast cancer. The same is true for | | | | help minimize your risk, no matter what your age! |
| women who go through menopause at a late age | | | | Learn more about the risk factors that contribute to |
| (after age 55). | | | | breast cancer in young women. This news service |
| • Obesity: Being overweight has been a | | | | and the information presented in it have been |
| breast cancer risk factor in some clinical studies. Fat | | | | developed and created through a content |
| tissue produces a small amount of estrogen, which | | | | collaboration between Novartis Oncology and |
| can make your estrogen levels higher. This can | | | | VerusMed, An Evolution of Faxwatch™. |