Understanding Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
Unavoidable Risk Factors of Breast Cancer is Not A Bad Luck...
Understanding risk factors for breast cancer is more than important since statistics
for breast
cancer are frightening. One of every eight women in the United
States will be diagnosed with breast cancer. It is the most common cancer for women and
over two million women have been treated for this disease.
The fact turns breast cancer to be the second leading cause of cancer death in American
women, second only to lung cancer. It is the most common malignancy in North America and
in Europe.
Men are also at risk but they are less at risk of developing breast cancer than women.
Click here to review more about male breast cancer.
Fortunately, there have been outstanding strides made in breast cancer treatment in
the last few years. It results to breast cancer deaths are decreasing and the survival
rate is much better, especially if the disease is detected early. Improved technology
and new testing methods are responsible for the earlier detection of breast cancer
and the decrease in deaths from breast cancer.
No longer is breast cancer considered a death threat. Nowadays many more alternatives
and treatments are available, unlike twenty years ago when my cousin died at the age
of 35. Now your risk of dying of breast cancer is less than one in twenty-eight. That
is good news as more and more women join the ranks of "survivor" of breast cancer.
Risk factors for breast cancer include some that you can change and some that you
cannot change. It means some risks are avoidable while some others are unavoidable.
Some unavoidable risk factors for breast cancer are:
Gender. If you are a woman, you are a risk for breast cancer
Aging. Eight out of ten breast cancers are found in women over 50
Family history. A newly found genetic mutation is being researched. This genetic
mutation may increase your risk of breast cancer. The gene BRCA1 or BRCA2 may be inherited
mutations and may cause an increased risk of developing breast cancer.
If you have a
strong family history of breast cancer, especially if they are under the age of 50, you
may want to talk to your doctor. Genetic testing can be performed to see if you are a
carrier of this mutated gene.
If your mother or sister has been treated for breast cancer, it increases that
risk. This risk is doubled regardless of whether it is on your father's or your
mother's side.
The start and end of your menstrual cycle are factors you can't control, but
have an influence on your chances of developing breast cancer. If you started periods
before you were 12 years old, or began menopause after the age of 55, you have a
slightly higher risk of breast cancer.
If you have had cancer in one breast, it puts you more at risk for developing
cancer in the other breast. If you have had chest radiation earlier in your life, you
are more at risk for developing breast cancer.
A drug prescribed for pregnant women to lower the chances of miscarriage may
also increase your risk of developing breast cancer. The drug DES (diethylstilbestrol)
is prescribed for women in danger of miscarriage but also may increase their risk
of cancer.
Caucasian women have more risk of developing breast cancer than African-American,
but African-American women are more at risk of dying of the disease. Asians, Hispanics,
or American Indians have a lower risk factor than Caucasian women.
The list of unavoidable risk factors of breast cancer you can't control may seem enormous; however
there are avoidable factors you can control, too.
You can reduce your risk factors of breast cancer by being aware of the factors that
increase your risk of cancer and the ones you have control of.
You will slightly increase your risk of this disease if you are taking estrogens
with progesterone for symptoms of menopause. If you are taking birth control pills, they also increase your
risk. Studies show
this risk is reduced if a woman has not taken birth control pills for ten years.
Other risks that you can control are, drinking, being overweight, not getting the
proper amount of exercise, and not breast-feeding. In other words, keeping your weight
under control, eating healthily, and getting the proper exercise can help you remain
cancer free.
You can control some risk factors for breast cancer and it is important for you to do that. Don't fret
about the ones you can't control. Listen to your body, be aware of any unusual changes,
and know what is normal for you. Understanding risk factors for
breast cancer and the warning signs of breast cancer benefit you
not too notice the disease as it is too late.
Keeping your body as healthy as possible will decrease your risk of developing breast
cancer, and increase your survival chances if breast cancer is diagnosed.
In the other side, if you are aware of being at high risk for developing cancer,
you should have regular breast screenings, and practice self-examination every month.
These two items can greatly reduce your risk factors for breast cancer.**
For searching deeper information about this topic, please feel free to visit
our resources on Risk Factors for Breast Cancer.
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