Risks
What is risk exactly?
So what puts you at a higher risk for breast cancer? You are about to find out.
First, let’s talk about what “risk” means. A risk is not a diagnosis of whether or not you will get breast cancer. Think of a higher risk as adding a few more tickets with your name into the raffle. It seems random how some people with low risks still get cancer, while those with high risks never get it. But knowing you have a higher risk of breast cancer means you are informed, and can talk to your doctor to tailor make a screening plan that suits your body.
One thing scientists have found is that the more you are exposed to “unopposed” estrogen (estrogen without progesterone for balance) the higher your risk seems to be. Here are just a few examples of that:
- If you started your period earlier in life than most
- had menopause later in life than most
- taken HRT pills containing estrogen (also known as “hormones” for hot flashes)
- didn’t breast feed
- never gave birth to a child
- are obese after menopause (fat stores the “bad” kind of estrogen)
- sedentary lifestyle (you’re not very active at all)
- alcohol intake of 1 or more a day
then you might have a higher than average exposure to estrogen, which increases your risk.
Here is what the US National Cancer Institute says about other risk factors:
- The older you are, the higher your risk for breast cancer.
- Number of first degree relatives with breast cancer (mom, sister, daughter)
- Number of previous breast biopsies (positive or negative)
- At least one breast biopsy with atypical hyperplasia.
