Early diagnosis of breast cancer is the key to survival. Understanding risk factors, regular self-exams, mammograms, and regular doctor's visits are essential to early detection.

How likely am I to develop breast cancer?
What should I be doing to prevent breast cancer?
How do I perform a breast self-examination?
What is breast cancer and benign breast disease?

How likely am I to develop breast cancer?
Cancer is caused by cells mutating (changing from normal to abnormal) and growing out of control. Cells may mutate for many reasons, and that is why it is often difficult to understand the exact cause of any one person's cancer.

Because the incidence of cancer differs throughout the world, we believe both our environment and our genes play a role in whether or not we develop cancer. It would be beneficial if each of us could know our own personal risk of contracting breast cancer in the next year, decade, or lifetime. Since this is not possible, what we can do is estimate the risk of women with certain characteristics or "risk factors" and compare them to women without those risks. Some clearly identified risk factors are:

Proven Risk Factors:

• Female
• Over the age of 50
• Family history, especially mother, sister, daughter, or other 1st degree relative
• Nulliparity (no children)
• First full-term pregnancy after age 30
• Early menarche (first period) before age 12
• Late menopause (after age 50)
• Genetic test findings associated with breast cancer
• Exposure to high dose ionizing radiation (for cancer, acne, thyroid)

Potential Risk Factors:

• Tall stature and heavy frame
• Obesity after menopause
• Alcohol intake over nine drinks per week
• History of high alcohol intake before age 30
• Exposure to prolonged use of high dose estrogen
• Diet: low fiber, low antioxidants, low zinc, low selenium
• Lack of exercise, especially before age 40
• Environmental hazard exposure