breast cancer risk factors

Hi, First of all,no one knows exactly what causes breast cancer,but many risk factors can increase both male and female chances of developing breast cancer.Doctors estimate that only 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are linked to gene mutations passed through generations of a family.Some risk factors have a greater impact than others, and the risk for breast cancer can change over time from aging or poor lifestyle,such as smoking,drinking and diet.

The highest risk for breast cancer comes from being female. Family history of breast cancer increases risk. Obesity does too. Smoking does too. Dense breast tissue does too. Best wishes.

Decisions are made after discussion and weighing of risks and benefits for the individual patient. Factors such as estrogen receptor status, age, and menopausal status, risk factors (strong family history, BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations) are taken into account in this risk/benefit discussion.

good health, non smoker, no risk factors, premen., 49 yrs old., blood test for ovarian cancer (125) 2%. Internal ultrasound of uterus neg; pap neg. I have chosen not to take the tamoxofen because of risk factors associated w/ drug. I feel w/ the masectomy instead of the Lumpectomy was aggressive enough. I think with these great scores and low risk factors and a reduction w/ other breast..chances are great. What do you think?

Dear Donnetta, Decisions regarding treatment for breast cancer are based on many factors such as; the stage of the disease, tumor features such as size of the cancer, estrogen/progesterone status, her2 status, lymph node status etc. Based on this information recommendations are made for treatment. She has had the treatment for the breast cancer, their might also be recommendation for some type of anti-estrogen treatment as well to further decrease her risk of recurrence as well.

One study reported that women then currently taking HRT were about three times as likely as other women to be among the cancer patients and those who used combined HRT for three or more years had a higher risk of lobular cancer. They said that incidence of invasive lobular cancer rose by 52 percent in the United States between 1987 and 1999 and that cases of ductal-lobular breast cancer rose by 96 percent during that time, while rates of ductal cancer rose only 3 percent over the same period.

In the third place, since she battled BC at a relatively young age, it raises the question of whether she might be a carrier of the BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 genetic mutation, both of which raise the risk for breast cancer and ovarian cancer. For these reasons, you might want to explore whether other members of your mother's family have had BC, and esp. any at younger ages. And finally, yes, BC has occured in children as young as 3 years old. (But don't panic!

Your screening recommendations would be based upon your risk for breast cancer. If you have no risk factors (family history, for example) you should be screened annually with mammography and clinical breast examination beginning at age 40. If you are having other breast problems or if you are concerned, you should consider seeing a medical breast specialist.

I suggest that you discuss with your doctors if your risk of developing breast cancer would warrant risk reduction strategies such as doing a mastectomy. The negative PET scans are indeed comforting in terms of the colon cancer, however, small breast nodules may not light up on PET scans, especially in very early stages (those that would present with microcalcifications). I suggest that you proceed with your planned treatment and discuss the risk reduction strategies. Regards and God bless.

Males can develop breast cancer, though the incidence is much lower than female breast cancer. Risk factors for the development of male breast cancer include increased exposure to estrogen, reduced androgen, history of orchitis secondary to mumps, undescended testis, testicular injury or cirrhosis of the liver, and a family history of breast cancer. I would suggest you have yourself seen by your doctor.

Chemotherapy is recommended based on the tumor and the risk/benefit ratio. The risk of recurrence vs. risk related to side effects. This risk benefit ratio for your individual situation is best discussed with your oncologist who can discuss them in context of your individual situation. If you are concerned still have questions, a second opinion from a breast cancer oncologist is also a possible option for you.

Having a risk factor, or even several, does not mean that we will get the disease.

The cause of fibroadenoma is not known. Fibroadenoma may be a long-term risk factor for breast cancer depending on certain features such as complexity of the tumor. Risk factors are based on large groups of individuals with similar characteristics, it is difficult to precisely define individual risk. You may want to consider having a second opinion with a breast specialist who can discuss with you your risk and follow up. These specialists are usually associated with large academic centers.

Dear Chery1990, Atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) by itself may not raise a persons risk of getting breast cancer to a level where treatment with a medication as prevention (chemoprevention) would be considered. A woman with ADH as well as other risk factors may have a risk that is high enough to consider medications. The medications currently FDA approved as chemoprevention for breast cancer are tamoxifen and raloxifene.

Hi There for a women with no risk factors for ovarian cancer,there is a 1 in 80 lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer which is one tenth the lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.

Men and women who are concerned about their risk of breast cancer may want to visit a genetic counselor to discuss their family health history, as well as other factors, to determine if a genetic test would be helpful. I wish you a healthy life..but it's always good to be informed on this matter. Best wishes...

Hi Nora, Don't drive yourself crazy looking up stuff online. (I have done that.) Call the American Cancer Society and request booklets for information about breast cancer, breast cancer and diet, alcohol & BC, & they are all free. I did the same thing you did, drinking 2 glasses of beer or wine 5-7 days a week (sometimes more on my days off) thinking it would help prevent heart disease (I have family risk on both sides of the family) and & thinking it reduced stress.

I have never had children, my father died of breast cancer and am already starting menopause, a history of breast cancer in the other breast... so with all these factors I am guessing that they will take it out as it may be a risk?

Hi, Hyperplasia means there are more cells than normal within the duct, however the cells are normal cells not atypical (abnormal). This condition is benign (not cancer) and usually develops naturally as the breast ages and changes and can affect women of any age. Having hyperplasia alone does not increase your risk of developing breast cancer..However, it’s still important to be breast aware and see your doctor if you notice any changes in your breasts..

In their study, obesity (BMI equal to or greater than 30) resulted in a 40% increased risk of developing a contralateral breast cancer. In addition, taking 7 or more alcoholic beverages per week resulted in a 90% increase in contralateral breast cancer risk. Most importantly, smoking raised the risk of a contralateral breast cancer by 120%.

ADH is a condition where the cells lining the milk ducts experience abnormal growth. This condition is NOT cancer and will NOT become cancer although it is often referred to as a Pre-cancerous condition. It does increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer in the future. This is sometimes left alone but the breasts are monitored more closely than usual. Sometimes the area is surgically removed and some form of treatment recommended following surgery.

A number of studies suggest that current use of oral contraceptives appears to slightly increase the risk of breast cancer, especially among younger women.So please tell you wife to discuss in depth with her doctor the risks of using the pill ,especially because of her family history of breast cancer. All the best to both of you...

Breast cancer risk factors

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