Could you get breast cancer?

All women have some risk

All women should know the things they can do to help protect themselves. Some risk factors for breast cancer–such as age–can’t be avoided. On the other hand, there are some risks that you can control. It’s important to be aware of the risks you can’t change, and those that you can do something about.

Risks you can’t control

• Family history. If your mother or sister develops breast cancer before menopause, or if your family carries the gene BRCA1, your risk of breast cancer increases dramatically. If you have these factors, discuss them with your physician.
• After age 50, your risk of breast cancer rises sharply. Since age is inevitable, the best protection is to watch carefully for any warning signs.
• Previous cancer. Your risk of getting breast cancer increases if you’ve had cancer of the colon, thyroid, endometrium or ovary.
• Early menarche. If your first menstrual period occurred before you were 12, your risk of breast cancer is slightly higher than women whose first period occurred later.
• Late menopause. Studies show that women who reach menopause after age 55 have twice the risk of breast cancer compared with women who stop menstruating before 50.

Risks you can control

• Delayed childbearing. Having your first child when you are 30 or older, or not having children at all, increases your risk.
• Hormones. Long-term use of oral contraceptives before menopause or hormone therapy after menopause may increase your risk.
• Obesity. Being overweight after menopause can slightly increase your risk, while being overweight before menopause actually decreases that risk.
• Alcohol. The role of alcohol in breast cancer development is controversial. Some studies show that one or two drinks a day increases the risk, while others indicate the link is fairly weak.
  

Educate yourself, and stay in touch

We encourage all women to educate themselves about breast health and take the necessary steps to protect against breast cancer:

• Practice monthly breast self-exams.
• See your doctor for annual physicals.
• Have a screening mammogram following the American Cancer Society guidelines.

Breast Cancer risk-assessment

Take this assessment to estimate your risk of breast cancer. You’ll need a couple of minutes to answer questions about your diet, health, family, and reproductive history. The assessment will calculate your estimated breast cancer risk. It also lets you know what you’vecurrently doing that is helping to lower your risk and what you can do to lower it even more.

Click here to begin the assessment. This page may take a moment to download.