Some known risk factors for developing
breast cancer include:
-
Getting older.
-
Having a family history of breast cancer.
-
Having previously been diagnosed with
breast cancer or DCIS (ductal carcinoma
in situ - abnormal cells in the breast ducts,
which over time could develop into breast
cancer).
Other risk factors that seem to slightly
increase a woman's risk of developing
breast cancer include:
- Starting menstruation, or 'periods', at a
relatively early age (before 12 years); and
starting menopause, or 'change of life',
at a relatively late age (after 55 years).
-
Not having children, or having a first
child after 35 years of age.
-
Not breast feeding – the more months
spent breast feeding, the lower the risk of
developing breast cancer.
-
Taking combined Hormone Replacement
Therapy (HRT) after menopause, especially
when taken for 5 years or longer.
-
Putting on a lot of weight in adulthood,
especially after menopause.
-
Drinking alcohol (more than 2 standard
drinks a day).
-
Taking the oral contraceptive pill.
This appears to only increase the risk
whilst taking the pill; the risk goes back
down after you stop taking it.
-
Having previously been diagnosed
with LCIS (lobular carcinoma in situ)
or AH (atypical hyperplasia).
Detection & Prevention
There is no known preventative
treatment for breast cancer.
However, early detection is the
key to successful treatment.
Detection methods include:
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