PREVENTION / RISK FACTORS
What are the factors that increase the risk to develop breast cancer?
1. PROLONGED PERIOD OR HORMONAL INFLUENCE:
RISK OF DEVELOPING BERAST CANCER INCREASES A BIT WHEN THERE ARE LONG PERIODS OF HORMONAL INFLUENCE, FOR EXEMPLE:
- - Among women who had early menarche.
- - Among women who got had their period until a late menopause.
- - Among single women and those who were never pregnant.
- - Women who do not bring children at early age below 20.
- - Women who use hormone replacement therapy after menopause.
2. PREVIOUS BREAST CANCER CASE
Previous breast cancer case: studies have proved that if a woman had breast cancer previously, there is a bigger possibility or higher percentage of risk than other woman. Therefore, such woman should be subject to pe- riodical check-up by her doctor.
3. HEREDITARY FAMILY BREAST CANCER CASE
The risk of developing breast cancer increases if there were such cases in the family at an early age, particularly in a sister or a mother (less if in an aunt). However, if such case were found among family members at a late age, this would not increase the risk. The risk percentage increases two to three time more than any other woman who does not have a family cancer history. However mortality risk is not higher among women who have a family history, because they become more educated, they watch them- selves more and visit doctors periodically. Therefore, the percentage of their cure from cancer is higher than that of other women.
4. BENIGN TUMOR BUT WITH SOME PRE-CANCER CHANGES
If a woman previously developed a benign tumor that necessitated a biopsy, and it turned out that it included some histological changes, known as dysplasia, or changes that we call “pre-cancer” or “in-situ”, this woman is more susceptible to a greater risk of developing breast cancer later on.
5. AGEING
Whenever a woman grows in age, the risk of developing breast cancer increases. Statistics indicate that one woman out of eight is susceptible to breast cancer at sometime during her lifetime.
6. PATTERN OF LIFE AND NUTRITION
Other topics such as obesity, the absence of exercise, increase in meat and fats intake, alcohol and smoking are among the reasons that were proved to be linked to breast cancer, according to many field and statistical studies. Studies proved that the risk of developing breast cancer was higher among women who migrated from Asian countries such as China and Japan to the United States.
7. RADIATION
Women exposed to treatments of lymphoma, with Radiation field that included breast area, are exposed at a later age to develop breast cancer. These women should have follow-up and carry out periodical ex- aminations.