Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Globally, breast cancer accounts for 23-24 per cent of all cancers in women. Most women develop breast cancer over the age of 40. In all new breast cancer cases, 5-7 per cent are young women between the ages of 20-39.
It can occur in men, but these cases are very rare.
Are you at risk of developing breast cancer? You may be if you
- Are female (risk is much more for women than men)
- Are a woman over 40 (risk increases with age)
- Have a history of a benign breast conditions such as atypical ductal hyperplasia and fibrocystic breast changes
- Have a history of breast cancer in one breast which increases your risk of getting cancer in the other breast
- Have family members (esp mother, aunt, daughter and maternal grandmother) who have had breast cancer that too at a young age
- Have inherited the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene
- Been exposed to radiation at a young age
- Started your period before the age of 12
- Had late menopause at age of 55 or older
- Never been pregnant
- Gave birth to your first child after the age of 35
- Never breastfed your child
- Took post-menopausal hormonal therapy
- Are obese/over-weight
- Smoke
- Drink two or more alcoholic drinks daily
- Do night shift work (possible exposure to light that affects hormone functions)
Do note that while these risk factors make a woman more prone to breast cancer, it is not a certainty. Similarly, women without these risk factors may develop breast cancer as well.
There are no known cause of Breast Cancer
Research Update: Do Hormonal Birth Control Pills increase Risk of Breast Cancer
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