Women are more likely to develop breast cancer if they are not physically active, overweight or obese after menopause, have dense breast tissue, have a family history of breast cancer, have a history of radiation therapy, use certain medications, or have higher levels of testosterone in their blood. While having one or more risk factors does not necessarily mean that a woman will develop breast cancer, it is important to be aware of them. Being physically inactive is a
risk factor
for breast cancer. Women who are overweight or obese after menopause are also at a higherrisk of breast cancer
.Dense breast tissue is another risk factor, as it contains less fat and more cells and connective tissue. A family history of breast cancer is also a risk factor, as is a personal history of the disease. radiation therapy to the chest area increases the risk of developing breast cancer. Certain medications, such as selective estrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors, can reduce the risk of breast cancer in women at high risk.
Women with higher levels of testosterone in their blood before menopause are also at an increased risk. It is estimated that approximately 2% of breast cancers are related to changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. Additionally, 5-10% of breast cancers are related to genetic mutations passed down from generation to generation in families. Women can familiarize themselves with their breasts by performing regular self-exams.
Mammograms can also be used to detect any changes in the breasts, although they do expose women to X-rays. In some cases, preventive bilateral mastectomies can reduce the chances of developing breast cancer by up to 90%. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that a woman's chance of developing breast cancer during her lifetime is about 13%. Women diagnosed with DCIS or LCIS have twice the usual risk of developing invasive breast cancer in the same or another breast.
