Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Various Risk Factors and Causes of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the type of cancer that is experienced mostly by women and the number of deaths caused by this stands second compared to the deaths in other types of cancer. Only 1% of men suffer from breast cancer establishing the fact that this is totally a women's disease.

There is no scientific proof to establish the exact causes of breast cancer, but there are certain risk factors that can favor its chances in women. Even the presence of one or several risk factors may not lead to breast cancer; on the contrary absence of any risk factor also can result in this disease. The main step in preventing this disease is to stay away from the risk factors as much as possible.

Risk factors beyond control

Gender and age are the critical factors that can be responsible for breast cancer; especially when the women advances towards the age of 50 or more there are fair chances of getting breast cancer.

Genetic factors: It is assumed that the genetic factors account for the 5-10% of the breast cancers. Women carrying the mutated genes of BRCA1 and BRCA2 have almost 80% chance of getting breast cancer in their life.

Race: This form of cancer is predominant in white women than the dark skinned women.

Dense breast tissue: This means less fatty tissue and more glandular tissue which poses higher risk of breast cancer. This situation also makes things tough in detecting breast problems through mammograms.

Menstrual periods: Women having long span of menstruation starting below the age of 11 and ending after attaining the age of 50-55 elevates the chances of breast cancer.

Lifestyle risk factors

Late motherhood: Chances of breast cancer rises with childless women or women having children after the age of 30. Pregnancy at early age and being pregnant many times lowers the number of menstrual cycles that reduces the risks of breast cancer.

Use of contraceptives and HRT: Relation of breast cancer with the use of birth control pills have not been established yet, still statistics reveal that the risk factor increases with women who are on oral contraceptives and the risk subsides with the discontinuation of the oral pills.

HRT after menopause may increase the risk of breast cancer. If the treatment involves the replacement of both estrogen and progesterone, then the risk is higher compared to only estrogen replacement therapy. The risk and benefits of HRT must be weighed properly before starting the treatment.

Obesity and lack of exercise: Being overweight and lacking physical workouts are contributing factors in enhancing the risk of breast cancer, specially deposition of fats around the waists add more to the risk. Exercising for 45-50 minutes five days a week reduces the risk.

Abortion, breast implants, high fat diet, smoking and drinking are other life style factors that also contribute to the chances of breast cancer.

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