Breast cancer risks can be broken down into non-risky and avoidable factors. Their study belongs to the discipline of epidemiology. Breast cancer, unlike other types of cancer, is associated with multiple risk factors that can be controlled or modified by lifestyle, diet and medications.
Age is one of the many factors to consider for breast cancer risks. Statistics show that as women get older, they tend to develop hormonal problems. This usually happens during menopause where hormones play an important role in maintaining a woman’s health and preventing osteoporosis. Some studies show that hormone replacement therapy during menopause can help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. However, since this type of therapy can also have negative effects, including menstrual complications, headaches and hot flashes, weight gain, mood swings and fatigue, it has become an unnecessary treatment option.
Other risk factors for this disease include family history, ethnic background, urban/rural location and physical activity level. Urban living is associated with higher breast cancer risks because of the dense population in big cities. On the other hand, rural living tends to have lower breast cancer risks because of the less exposure to chemicals and toxins. Early detection through ultrasound and mammography can help women at risk to identify the stage of their disease, which helps them determine the course of treatment.
One of the factors for this disease is being born with dense breasts. A woman who is naturally born with dense breasts may help explain why women who were born with this trait are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. The anatomical features of dense breasts are wider than those of cup-bearing breasts. This characteristic may help explain why women with dense breasts have a higher risk of developing cancer. Women with larger than average breasts may find breast cancer risks to be higher for them than in other women.
Some studies show that developing breast cancer risks are influenced by the body’s genetic makeup. Genes play a role in how susceptible an individual is to developing cancer. If an individual has parents or grandparents who have had cancer at an early age, their risk of developing breast cancer is increased. Another factor for breast cancer risks is body weight. Women who are overweight tend to develop other health problems due to their unhealthy lifestyle, but also risk of developing cancer from an unhealthy diet.
Other breast cancer risks to consider for developing this disease include having a poor reproductive history. Women with a poor reproductive history, especially those who had only one child during their younger years may be at greater risk of developing breast cancer. The risk of developing this disease is also increased for women who are postmenopausal. This is because postmenopausal women may experience the onset of menopause and their hormones may begin to drop.
Do You Or Any Of Your Family Members, (Children, Grandchildren, Parents, Siblings) Have Any Of The Following Problems?
Then you should take our No Cost / No Obligation simple 4 question survey to see if you possibly qualify for genetic testing.
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Women with a family history of breast cancer are more likely to develop the disease. If a woman has a family history of cancer of the breasts or any other parts of the reproductive system, the possibility of developing breast cancer risks are increased. However, it can be difficult to determine family history since many members in a family may not have had the condition. One way to determine family history is through a genetic test.
Women should educate themselves about their own risks. By doing so, they can determine if they are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. In addition, they can find out ways to help decrease the risks of developing the disease. Women can control some of the risks of developing this disease by changing their lifestyles and eating habits.
We highly recommend finding out more about your family history, and taking a genetic test to be sure about your genetic makeup. The test will determine if your breast cancer risks is genetically higher or lower, and more specifically, with breast cancer, although it can help with other cancers of the body. This genetic test will not just benefit you, but also benefit your family – siblings, children, or grandchildren. Don’t wait until it’s too late, ask your doctor if whether a cancer genetic test is right for you.
My father died with a heart attack and I have always worried if I am at risk. Genetic testing for potential heart problems gives me a sense of relief to determine my future health issues.
Multiple members of my family have died from cancer and it has been a real worry for me. With cancer genetic testing I can know my potential risks involving cancer.
My mother had a severe reaction to several drugs she was taking. By utilizing genetic testing for possible drug combinations that could hurt her, her doctor can now make changes to eliminate future problems.