risk factors

Right now, we do not know the cause of breast cancer, however there are several risk factors that can increase your chance of getting breast cancer. I found these on the Susan G. Komen for the Cure website. Researchers have identified these things as factors, however not every women who gets breast cancer has these factors.

Unfortunately, the main risk factor is getting older. If you are a woman, your chance of getting breast cancer increases the older you get. For example, if you are a 20 year old woman, the chance is 1 in 1,760...but if you are a 50 year old woman your chance is 1 in 42. By the time you are 70 the chance is 1 in 27 woman will have breast cancer. (Source: American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Facts and Figures 2009-2010.)

Other factors include:

• having an inherited mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 breast cancer genes
• having a previous biopsy showing hyperplasia
• a family history of breast cancer
• having high breast density on a mammogram
• being exposed to large amounts of radiation
• a personal history of breast or ovarian cancer
• starting menopause after age 55
• never having children
• having your first child after age 35
• high bone density
• being overweight after menopause 
• having more than one drink of alcohol per day
• postmenopausal hormone use of estrogen or estrogen plus progestin
• being younger than 12 at the time of your first period
• current or recent use of birth control pills

Keeping yourself healthy can decrease your chances of getting breast cancer. Translation: stay active, exercise regularly, eat healthy foods, don't smoke and no more than one alcohol drink per day!

Only a few more days in October to donate Pennies to the Girls or give me your PINK Yogurt lids (claim them on your own here.)

Be the change. Make the difference.