Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
Any factor that can increase the chance of developing breast cancer is considered a risk factor. These factors can be related to individuals’ lifestyles or genetics. Although the development of breast cancer is not predictable, the presence of risk factors increases the likelihood of developing it.
In most patients, the cause of breast cancer is the presence of risk factors for breast cancer. However, this does not mean that everyone with risk factors will definitely develop breast cancer. In fact, risk factors may not be the cause of breast cancer. But they can increase the likelihood of developing the disease.
An interpretation that can be made about breast cancer risk factors is that these factors can put individuals at risk. This means that someone who has one or more risk factors should take more care of their health than others. Breast cancer screening is a very suitable solution to determine the health status of the breasts. Even individuals who do not have risk factors can ensure their health through this method.
Factors of breast cancer and risk factors for this disease affect the likelihood of developing breast cancer. However, the exact cause of breast cancer is still not known. So much so that most women who have one or more breast cancer factors never develop this disease. But some women, only because of being female and aging, are at risk of developing breast cancer. Even in women who develop this disease due to the presence of breast cancer risk factors, the role of these factors cannot be determined definitively.
Familiarity with breast cancer factors and awareness of each of them can play a role in preventing breast cancer to some extent. Of course, this applies to changeable factors such as lifestyle. Factors such as age, gender, race, and ethnicity are considered uncontrollable factors of breast cancer. In the following of this article, we will examine the types of breast cancer factors.
Podcast on Breast Cancer Incidence Factors
In this section, a complete audio file or podcast by Dr. Farhad Mousazadeh, breast surgeon and specialist, has been prepared for you. You can listen to his views on the role of various factors in developing cancer. This audio file is downloadable, and you can listen to Dr. Mousazadeh’s podcasts on various platforms.
Breast Cancer Factors; Uncontrollable and Inalterable Factors
Female gender
Female Gender Breast cancer is mainly recognized as the most common cancer in women. However, this does not mean that men are not affected. Nevertheless, the likelihood of women developing this disease is several times higher than that of men. This indicates that this type of cancer is gender-dependent. The reason for this could be the higher level of estrogen in women’s bodies and the larger volume of breast tissue.
Female gender
Hormonal imbalance in individuals’ bodies is considered one of the factors of breast cancer. This issue is related to individuals’ gender. The levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones in women’s bodies are much higher than in men. This fact has led to breast cancer occurring more in women than in men. So much so that it can be confidently stated that being female is the primary factor for developing breast cancer. However, in rare cases, breast cancer can also be observed in men.
If we want to provide a relative statistic about the incidence of breast cancer in women and men, it should be said that the incidence of breast cancer in women is about 100 times higher than in men.
Hormone Replacement Therapy After Menopause
Hormone therapies after menopause are carried out in two ways. In fact, hormones may be used individually (estrogen) or in combination (estrogen + progesterone). Hormone therapies after menopause can be done only with estrogen, while for some individuals, hormone therapy should be performed with a combination of estrogen and progesterone.
Combination hormone therapy can be a risk factor for breast cancer. However, hormone therapy with estrogen alone can also be problematic. Nevertheless, this risk mostly occurs in non-menopausal individuals. If hormone therapies after menopause are a risk factor for an individual, its effects can usually be seen after 4 years.
Alcohol
Consumption The incidence rate in women who consume alcohol and alcoholic beverages is higher than in those who abstain from drinking alcohol. Studies show that consuming alcohol equivalent to one drink per day increases the risk of breast cancer by 7 to 10 percent. Certainly, with an increase in the volume of alcohol consumed per day, the likelihood of breast cancer will be more probable.
Age of Individuals
One of the main factors of breast cancer is increasing age. So much so that most individuals who develop breast cancer are women over 50 years old.
The increased risk of developing breast cancer with age is also true for men. Most men who develop breast cancer are over 60 years old.
Statistics show that out of every 8 cases of invasive breast cancer in women, only one case is observed in women under 45 years old. This is while out of every 3 cases of invasive breast cancer, about two cases occur in women over 55 years old. Therefore, increasing age is one of the most common factors of breast cancer.
Unfortunately, the age of breast cancer incidence in Iran is about ten years lower than the global standard.
Genetic Risk Factors
One of the most important and primary factors of breast cancer is genetic risk factors. Generally, about 5 to 10 percent of breast cancer cases in women and men occur due to hereditary factors. This means that children have inherited mutated genes from their parents. Some of the most common gene mutations that can increase the risk of breast cancer in individuals are the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
Family History of Breast Cancer
You must have heard that having a family history of cancer increases the risk of developing it for others. This issue is more important for breast cancer. If female relatives in your blood relatives have a history of breast cancer, the risk of developing this disease increases for you. However, in cases where one of the first-degree relatives such as mother, daughter, or sister has a history of breast cancer, the risk of women contracting the disease will double.
The more the number of blood relatives who have had breast cancer, the higher the risk of developing the disease for other individuals. For example, if two first-degree relatives of a person have a history of breast cancer, the risk of developing it will increase by about three times. In this way, the role of family history as one of the breast cancer factors is undeniable.
Race and Ethnicity
Statistics show that the incidence of breast cancer in white women is higher than in African-American women. However, the likelihood of death from breast cancer in African-American women will be higher. According to statistics, the possibility of African-American women developing more aggressive tumors is higher than white women. It may be possible to attribute the higher mortality rate in these women to this factor as well. However, the exact reason for this is still not definitively determined.
Research shows that Asian, Hispanic, and Native American women are less likely to be at risk of developing breast cancer compared to others. Also, the mortality rate due to breast cancer in these racial groups is lower. All these cases indicate that race and ethnicity can also be considered as factors of breast cancer.
Scientific statistics related to race and ethnicity
indicate the following conclusions about the impact of race and ethnicity on breast cancer:
The average age of breast cancer diagnosis for black women is about 60 years, while this age is estimated to be about 63 years for white women.
The mortality rate of black women due to breast cancer is the highest. This is because one out of every five black women with breast cancer is diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. This rate is much higher than other racial and ethnic groups.
For black women under the age of 40, the risk of breast cancer is higher than white women.
The likelihood of black women developing breast cancer at any age is higher than other racial and ethnic groups at that age.
White women living in Asian and Pacific islands are more likely to develop localized breast cancer than other races such as black, Hispanic, and Native American women.
The mortality rate due to breast cancer is the lowest among residents of Asian and Pacific islands.
Native Americans and Alaska Natives have the lowest incidence of breast cancer.
Breast Density
Among the other factors of breast cancer, the type of breast tissue can be mentioned. In fact, the structure of the breast in women can affect the chances of developing breast cancer. For example, women with denser breast tissue are more prone to this disease. This is because the majority of breast tissue in these women is composed of glands, and the amount of fatty tissue in the breast will be limited.
Another problem resulting from dense breast tissue is the difficulty in diagnosing dangerous masses in mammography. Therefore, in addition to visiting reputable imaging centers, you should also show your mammography results to an experienced physician.
History of Benign Breast Diseases
During their lifetime, individuals may experience some benign breast diseases. These types of diseases do not pose a risk on their own. However, they can increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Among these diseases, there are cases that increase the risk of breast cancer more than others.
Among the benign breast diseases that can be considered as factors for breast cancer, atypical hyperplasia or lobular neoplasia can be mentioned.
Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS)
One of the disorders that can increase the risk of breast cancer in women is lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). Individuals who experience LCIS are about 7 to 11 times more likely to develop cancer in both breasts compared to others.
Early Menstruation or Early Menopause
The best age to start menstruation in girls is over 12 years old. Women who menstruate at younger ages than 12 are more at risk of developing breast cancer than others. On the other hand, women who enter menopause after the age of 55 are more likely to develop this disease.
The reason for this can be attributed to the higher number of menstrual cycles throughout life. Since hormonal imbalance in the secretion of these hormones is considered one of the main factors of breast cancer, with an increase in the number of menstrual cycles throughout life, the risk of breast cancer also increases.
Ionizing Radiation
Being exposed to high-energy radiation (ionizing radiation) can be a risk factor for breast cancer. Therefore, if for any reason you are exposed to high-energy radiation such as X-rays, gamma rays, and the like, it is better to take care of your health. Following safety protocols during work is one of the most preventive measures. Breast cancer screening also helps you detect and treat the disease as soon as possible if you are diagnosed.
Having a History of Radiation Therapy in the Chest Area
Sometimes, due to certain diseases in the chest area, radiation therapy is inevitable. For example, women in childhood or youth may have been affected by various types of chest cancers and diseases. Hodgkin’s disease or non-Hodgkin lymphoma are among these cases. Treatment of such diseases and disorders requires radiation therapy in the chest area.
Being exposed to radiation in the chest area significantly increases the risk of developing breast cancer. However, depending on the age at which the patient undergoes radiation therapy in the chest area, the possibility of breast cancer varies. However, radiation therapy for breast cancer is also effective in the treatment process and is a treatment method in itself.
Late Childbearing and Nulliparity
One of the risk factors for breast cancer is nulliparity or childbirth at an older age. Generally, eliminating menstrual cycles during pregnancy reduces the level of estrogen in the body. As a result, the risk of breast cancer will be reduced. Individuals who become pregnant late or abstain from pregnancy until older ages go through more menstrual cycles. This can increase the risk of breast cancer.
Exposure to Diethylstilbestrol (DES)
The use of diethylstilbestrol drug was common in the 1940s to 1960s. This drug was prescribed to reduce the risk of miscarriage. However, one of the important side effects of diethylstilbestrol is an increased risk of breast cancer in women.
It is important to note that even women whose mothers took this drug during pregnancy are more at risk of developing breast cancer than others. Thus, it may be better to consider DES as one of the factors of breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Risk Factors:Modifiable and Changeable Factors
Some breast cancer risk factors are related to individuals’ lifestyles. These factors can be addressed by increasing awareness. Below, we will discuss the most important lifestyle-related breast cancer risk factors.
Nulliparity (Not Having Experienced Pregnancy During Lifetime)
Pregnancy and childbirth reduce the risk of breast cancer. Generally, women who have not experienced pregnancy during their lifetime are more at risk of developing breast cancer than others. However, experiencing first pregnancy at an age over 30 can also be considered as one of the breast cancer risk factors.
Increasing the number of pregnancies during life and giving birth at a young age play an effective role in reducing the risk of breast cancer. As mentioned earlier, increasing the number of menstrual cycles in women can be considered as a factor for breast cancer. During pregnancy, menstrual cycles stop. Therefore, reducing the risk of breast cancer can be attributed to a decrease in the number of menstrual cycles in relevant women.
Oral Contraceptive Use
According to studies, the use of oral contraceptives is considered as one of the breast cancer risk factors. Experience shows that the risk of breast cancer in women who have not used these drugs is less than women who use them. However, it is important to note that if these pills are discontinued, the risk will be eliminated.
Hormone Therapy After Menopause
Individuals who use hormone therapy methods are at risk of developing breast cancer. However, usually, discontinuing this treatment method reduces the risk of breast cancer. In such a way that usually the risk of individuals contracting this disease returns to normal five years after discontinuation of treatment.
Breastfeeding
Some studies have shown that breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer. However, this advantage will be more noticeable for mothers who breastfeed their babies for one and a half to two years.
Alcohol Consumption
One of the most important factors of breast cancer related to individuals’ lifestyles is alcohol consumption. In fact, alcohol use is clearly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. The more alcohol and alcoholic beverages consumed, the higher the risk of breast cancer.
Smoking as a Factor in Breast Cancer
Smoking and nicotine consumption can be considered as one of the breast cancer risk factors. However, the level of impact of this risk factor is higher in women with a family history of breast cancer. For women who start smoking at a young age, the risk of breast cancer will be higher.
It is important to know that even after quitting smoking, individuals are at risk of developing breast cancer for up to 20 years. Therefore, it is better to avoid smoking as much as possible.
Excessive Weight Gain
Obesity and excessive weight gain can be considered as one of the most important breast cancer risk factors. Usually, women become overweight and obese after reaching menopause. For this reason, they may also be at risk of developing breast cancer. Therefore, even for individuals who are premenopausal, controlling weight and eliminating excess body fat can help reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Untreated Diabetes
One of the most effective breast cancer factors is diabetes. According to research, the rate of death from breast cancer in women with diabetes is about 40% higher. However, if this disease remains untreated.
Generally, diabetes affects the body’s metabolism and can contribute to the aggressiveness of the disease. For this reason, usually, in individuals with diabetes, cases of breast cancer are more aggressive. Seeking help from an experienced physician like Dr. Farhad Mousazadeh can help alleviate many of the side effects in this regard.
Physical Activity
Engaging in exercise and physical activities throughout the day significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer. Therefore, if you intend to weaken breast cancer risk factors in yourself, it is better to consider exercise as part of your lifestyle.
For more information on recognizing various breast cancer risk factors, you can contact Dr. Farhad Mousazadeh. Breast cancer screening can greatly help in early diagnosis of the disease. This prevents the disease from becoming aggressive and significantly reduces the mortality rate. To make an appointment, visit the Contact Us section.
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