Understanding Risk Factors of Breast Cancer

Approximately 1-in-8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. Understanding the risk factors, both preventative and non-preventative, can help you to be more aware of your risk for breast cancer.  

Non-Preventative Risk Factors

There are certain breast cancer risk factors that you cannot prevent. However, being aware of these factors may help you take the proper course of action for your health. Non-preventative factors include:

• Gender
• Age
• Genetics
• Menstrual History
• Breast Density

Preventative Risk Factors

Good lifestyle choices are important to overall health as well as breast health. There are certain preventative lifestyle choices that increase your risk for breast cancer, including:

• Being Overweight/Obese
• Drinking Alcohol
• Lack of Exercise
• Smoking
• Taking Exogenous Hormones (birth control)
• Diet

How to Minimize Your Risk for Breast Cancer

There are many actions you can take to minimize your risk for breast cancer. Discussing your personal risk with your primary care provider is a good starting point. More actions you can take include:

• Maintain a healthy weight, eat nutritious foods, and try a Mediterranean Diet.
• Limit alcohol intake to less than 1 alcohol serving per day.
• Perform a monthly breast self-exam.
• Visit a primary care or OB/GYN provider for a yearly breast exam.
• Get a mammogram each year, starting at age 40, or follow other guidelines based on risk.

Sources: 

Kinzie Norris, MD, Breast Cancer Risk Factors- breastcancer.org