Date：2020-10-07

Risk Factors of Breast Cancer

Current studies have found that breast cancer can be attributed to poor eating habits, such as excessive drinking, overweight, and lack of physical activity. Studies by the World Health Organization have also shown that long-term intake of estrogen-related medicine can increase the risk of breast cancer. We expose a lot of carcinogenic factors during our lives, some of which are risk factors that we can avoid, and some are risk factors that we cannot control. The article lists various factors that increase the risk of breast cancer:

Risk Factors that we can avoid

Drinking: The more alcohol intake, the greater chance to develop breast cancer

Obesity: After menopause, although women would no longer produce female hormones, however, the adipose tissue will continue to produce female hormones which would affect breast tissues.

Sedentary: Sitting for a long period of time would cause the body to have a hormonal imbalance and increase inflammation risk.

Give Birth: A increase in the risk of breast cancer appears if a woman never gives birth or gave birth to a first child over the age of 30

Breast-Feeding: Breast-feeding can delay the recovery of menstruation after childbirth; hence, it would be reducing the risk of breast cancer.

Intake of Oral Contraceptives Pill: Studies have found that the use of a birth control pill would increase the chance of women suffering from breast cancer. The risk would be reduced if stopping taking related drugs.

Risk Factors that we can NOT avoid

As a woman: Although men also can develop breast cancer, but the chance is relatively low. There are only 30 new male breast cancer patients in Hong Kong each year.

Menstruation too early or menopause too late: Menstruation accrue before 12 years old or menopause after 55 years old can increase the chance of breast cancer, due to lengthens the exposure of female hormones.

Family: At the present, there is sufficient documentation on the heredity of breast cancer that a family history of breast cancer can significantly increase the risk of this disease. if a close relative in the family has breast cancer, the chance of getting cancer is 3 times higher than others. If 2 more family members suffered from breast cancer, the risk of getting cancer is 7 times more than others.

Genetic Mutations: If carry BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 mutated genetics, the risk of developing breast cancer is 10 times higher than others, 10% of the total population of patients with breast cancer is caused by a genetic mutation.

Can the Risk of Breast Cancer be Reduced?

Although some prevention can reduce the risk of breast cancer, it does not reduce mortality. Maintain a healthy lifestyle and early detection can increase the survival rate of breast cancer. A healthy diet such as reduce excess alcohol consumption and exercise can reduce the risk of getting cancer.

However, even if breast cancer prevention measures are taken, 10% of the breast cancer cases still come from hereditary gene mutations. For a patient with a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer, it is critical to discuss the need for genetic testing with a specialist as soon as possible.