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MedicineWorld.Org - Cancer - Risk factors for breast cancer
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The exact cause for the development of breast cancer is unknown. Several factors that may increase the chance or promote the development of breast cancer have been identified. The roles of some of these factors are well established while the roles of some other risk factors are still controversial. Risk factors or factors that may increase the risk of breast cancer can be divided into two subgroups. First group can be classified as factors that can not be modified like increasing age, female gender, genetic factors, family history of breast cancer, personal history of breast cancer, and race. The other group consists of modifiable factors over which the individual person can exert some modifications. This group would include risk factors like alcohol consumption, use of hormonal replacement therapy, decreased physical activity, obesity, and smoking. We will examine many of these risk factors shortly in the following sections. It must be realized that in almost three fourth of the patients who develop breast cancer, there are no identifiable predisposing factors.
Risk factors for breast cancer: gender and race White women have increased risk of development of breast cancer compared to other ethnic populations in the United States. Click on the above link for more information on Risk factors for breast cancer gender and race. Breast cancer risk factors: genes and genetic factors If a woman inherits a genetic mutation like BRCA1 and BRCA2 the lifetime risk of development of breast cancer in that woman may be as high as.... Click on the above link for more information on Breast cancer risk factors: genes and genetic factors. Family history of breast cancer Presence of a family member with breast cancer would increase the risk of development |
of breast cancer in a woman. Click on the link for more information on Family history of breast cancer.
History of previous breast diseases The development of certain benign diseases of the breast in a woman is associated with increased risk of breast cancer. Click on the above link for more information on History of previous breast diseases and risk of breast cancer. Previous history of breast cancer or other cancers Development of breast cancer in a person substantially increases the risk of development of second primary breast cancer. Click on the above link for more information on previous history of breast cancer or other cancers. Menstrual and reproductive factors Risk of development of breast cancer is probably related to the number of years of exposure to the female hormone estrogen. Click on the above link for more information on menstrual and reproductive factors. History of radiation exposure Patients with Hodgkin’s disease who had been treated with radiation therapy is shown to have higher incidence of breast cancer during the later year of life. Click on the above link for more information on History of radiation exposure. HRT, alcohol, high fat diet, and obesity There has been long term controversy over the issue of increased breast cancer risk associated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Click on the above link for more information on Breast cancer risk factors HRTalcohol high fat diet obesity. |
| Risk factors for breast cancer |
