Breast Cancer Awareness Month was founded in 1985 to help increase awareness of the disease and raise funds for research into the cause.
Every woman is potentially at risk of getting breast cancer. However, there are certain factors that would put women in a higher risk category. The risk factors include:
Age
The risk of developing breast cancer increases as you get older. About 1 out of 8 invasive breast cancers are found in women younger than 45, while 2 of 3 are found in those aged 55 or older.
Family history
Breast cancer risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have/had the disease. Having one first-degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter) with breast cancer approximately doubles a woman’s risk.
Personal history
A woman with cancer in one breast has three to four times increased risk of developing a new cancer in the other breast or in another part of the same breast. This is different from a recurrence (return) of the first cancer.
Dense breast tissue
Women with denser breast tissue (as seen on a mammogram) have more glandular tissue and less fatty tissue, and have a higher risk of breast cancer. Unfortunately, dense breast tissue can also make it harder for doctors to spot problems on mammograms.
Overweight or obese women
Research has shown that being overweight or obese increases the risk of breast and other cancers. Now, another study suggests that overweight and obese women diagnosed with early-stage, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer have a higher risk of the cancer coming back (recurrence) and are less likely to survive the disease.
Lifestyle factors
Excessive alcohol use, little to no physical activity, smoking and diets high in saturated fats increase the risk of breast cancer.
