Archive for the ‘Risk Factors’ Category

Breast Cancer: Risk Factors

Thursday, November 26th, 2009

The cause of breast cancer is not known but we do know some risk factors. It is considered a risk factor that situation that increases the chance of developing the disease.

Keep in mind that women who are more likely to develop breast cancer (by having more risk factors) can take preventive measures to reduce the likelihood and periodic revisions or changes in your lifestyle.

RISK FACTORS

** Sex
Breast cancer occurs mainly in women though. It can also affect men but the probability is much lower.

** Age
An elderly carries an increased number of cancers. 60% of breast tumors occur in women over 60 years. This percentage increases much more after 75 years.

** Genes
There are two identified genes that, when any change in them (mutation) are associated with an increased likelihood of developing breast cancer. These genes are called BRCA1 and BRCA2, and according to some studies it seems that between 50% and 60% of women who have inherited the mutated genes can develop cancer before age 70.

** Family history
When a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) had breast cancer doubles the risk of autism. If this is a more distant relative (grandmother, aunt, cousin) increases the risk only slightly.

** Personal history
A previous benign breast disease seems to increase risk in women who have a large number of ducts. Still, this risk is moderate. Some abnormal breast biopsy may be related to a slightly elevated risk of breast cancer. The risk of developing cancer in the other breast in women who have had breast cancer is different from the first recurrence or recurrence of cancer.

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