Breast Cancer Risk Factors

No single cause of breast cancer has been identified. Both genetic and hormonal factors increase a woman’s risk factors for developing breast cancer.

Here are some of the factors that can increase the chances of developing breast cancer:

Age (the chance of developing breast cancer increases as you get older)
Previous cancer in either of your breasts
A history of breast cancer in your family
A history of ovarian cancer in your family
Hereditary factors such as having the genetic abnormality known as BRCA1 or BRCA2
A history of having had radiation to your chest (for example, in the treatment of Hodgkin’s Disease)
Having had your first menstrual period before age 12
Menopause after age 55
Having your first pregnancy later in life
Never having been pregnant
Race (Caucasian women are at higher risk than African-American, Hispanic, Asian or Native American women)
Ashkenazi Jewish heritage
Being overweight
Having a sedentary lifestyle
Alcohol consumption (studies suggest that a woman’s risk of breast cancer goes up as alcohol consumption increases)
Consumption of a high-fat-content diet

Risk Factors