| Breast cancer is a largely unknown disease until | | | | In today's world, lifestyle is the single largest |
| today, despite the fact that it affects almost ten | | | | contributing factor for the proliferation of breast |
| percent of the women above the age of forty years | | | | cancer among women. Several elements of the |
| all over the world. The causes of this killer cancer are | | | | lifestyle have been found to be directly accordant |
| not known even after decades of research into it. | | | | with the prevalence of breast cancer. Smoking and |
| Similarly it is unknown why some women have higher | | | | alcoholism in women are among the chief factors. |
| chances of getting breast cancers than others. | | | | Even diet has been pointed out as an important risk |
| Though the causative factors are not known, some | | | | factor. Women who consume a diet with more |
| risk factors have been identified. There is no medical | | | | high-cholesterol fats in them have higher chances of |
| proof why these factors make the disease more | | | | breast cancer. At the same time leading a sedentary |
| probable, but this is a study of observation. In a vast | | | | lifestyle without indulging much in physical activity are |
| cross-section of women with the observed risk | | | | also potentially dangerous. |
| factors, it has been found that the chances of | | | | (5) Radiation |
| getting breast cancers are very high. | | | | It has been found that women who undergo |
| The various risk factors for breast cancer are as | | | | radiation therapies in their chest region at a young |
| follows:- | | | | age have an increased risk of developing breast |
| (1) Family History of Breast Cancer | | | | cancer in their later lives. Radiation therapy is |
| If a near relative like a mother or a sister has had | | | | generally prescribed for women with conditions like |
| breast cancer, then there is a very high chance that | | | | Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. So |
| the cancer will occur sometime in life. This propensity | | | | women who have undergone such treatments may |
| is observed even if far relatives such as cousins and | | | | get breast cancer in their later years. |
| aunts have had breast cancer, though the chances | | | | (6) Hormonal Imbalances There are several factors |
| are lesser as the relatives are more removed. Even if | | | | that can change the hormone balance of the body. |
| a male relative has had breast cancer or prostate | | | | Some of them are:- a) Beginning the menstrual cycle |
| cancer, then there is a chance of getting breast | | | | early, i.e. before the age of twelve years, b) Having |
| cancer. This clearly indicates that breast cancer runs | | | | the first pregnancy after the age of thirty years, c) |
| through family lines through inheritance. Certainly the | | | | Having no pregnancy at all, d) Having a late |
| chances are very high if more than one family | | | | menopause. All these conditions can increase the level |
| member has had breast cancer. | | | | of estrogen in the body. This increases the risk of |
| (2) Personal History of Breast Cancer | | | | getting breast cancer to a mild extent. Apart from |
| If a woman has had breast cancer in the past, then | | | | that women who take regular birth control pills, |
| there is a great chance that the breast cancer may | | | | breast enhancement supplements, antidepressants |
| recur. This is true even if the cancer had been | | | | and antihistamines and hormone modifying |
| removed in its benign stage itself. Sometimes the | | | | supplements stand at a higher risk to get breast |
| cancer cells spread into the nearby lymph. This | | | | cancers. |
| makes a possibility that the cancer will occur in the | | | | The above are the major risk factors for breast |
| opposite breast. In fact, women who have had | | | | cancers. But since the study on breast cancers is not |
| cancer in one breast have 50 to 75% more chances | | | | yet complete, the above is by no means a complete |
| of developing the cancer in the other breast. | | | | list. There are several other indications of breast |
| (3) Diseases of the Breast | | | | cancers, like breast implant operations; but these |
| Several breast diseases can increase the chances of | | | | have not yet been confirmed. The implants used in |
| having breast cancer. Changes in the cells of the | | | | the earlier days were made of silicone gels. These |
| breasts can lead to atypical hyperplasia. This condition | | | | were riskier in terms of breast cancer. However, |
| can cause a three to fourfold increase in the | | | | nowadays the silicone gel implants have been |
| possibility of getting breast cancer in the later years. | | | | replaced by saline implants. This has reduced the risk |
| This risk also exists if the atypical hyperplasia has | | | | to a great extent. |
| occurred in other women of the family. Another such | | | | It must be also noted that women have much higher |
| condition is the benign breast tumor condition known | | | | chances of getting breast cancer than men. In fact, |
| as fibro adenoma. However, women with fibrocystic | | | | most people think that breast cancer is a disease |
| breasts generally do not have any added vulnerability | | | | that affects only women. This is not true. Men also |
| to breast cancer. Yet, such conditions could make the | | | | get breast cancers, but to a much lesser degree than |
| breasts lumpy and hide the real tumors (if any) during | | | | women. Also, age is a very important factor. The |
| mammography. | | | | chances of getting breast cancer are much higher |
| (4) Lifestyle | | | | when the woman has crossed the age of 50 years. |