Findings of Cancer Research
According to cancer research, breast cancer is the most commonly cancer diagnosed in the world. I have mention it in my Cytogenetics and Cancer Research blog. Are you in the risk of breast cancer? After knowing the basis of breast cancer, we have to know what the risk factors of breast cancer are. With the findings of cancer research, there are 5 major risk factors of breast cancer.
5 Major Risk Factors of Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Risk Factor I: Age and Gender
Is the breast cancer can be linked to the age and gender? Yes! The females have higher possibility to get the breast cancer than the male. The male breast cancer case is very rare to occur. At the same time, cancer research shows that sporadic breast cancer is relatively rare among women who are younger than 40 years old. However, women who are 40 years old above will significantly sustain with much higher possibility of breast cancer. The highest breast cancer incidence rate is between 50 to 69 years old. After 70, the incidence rate of breast cancer is decline. If you are surrounding menopause period, I will highly recommend you to go for body check frequently, especially for mammography screening. There is a significant increase of breast cancer incidence rate during the years before and after menopause. Sincerely, it is better to do the checking annually regarding the age just for your own good. Below is the guidelines that we can follow；
| Age | Average and moderate risk | High risk |
| 20 and 30 | - Monthly breast self exam (BSE)
- Clinical breast exam (CBE) at least 3 years a time |
- Consideration of initiation of breast cancer screening
- Aware to the change in breath health |
| 40 through 60 | - Continuation of BSE and CBE
- Aware to the change in breath health |
Initiation of breast cancer screening
Highly aware to the change in breath health |
| Over age 70 | Initiation of breast cancer screening | Continuation of breast cancer screening |
Breast Cancer Risk Factor II: Family History
If one of your relative with breast cancer, is it possible for you to be the carrier too? This is the common question might be asked by most of the people. Unfortunately, a positive family history of breast cancer is the most widely recognized risk factor for breast cancer, especially for the closest relative according to cancer research. Breast cancer exhibits high penetrance among the hereditary cancers. If you are suspected to be at risk for hereditary forms of breast cancer, you are advised to seek expert genetic counsellor to deal with it. There are many genetic tests can be done to confirm the degree of risk. For further information about the genetic counselling centre in your area, you may go to http://www.cancer.gov/search/geneticsservices/ to check avaibility.
Breast Cancer Risk Factor III: Reproductive
If you experienced natural menopause after 55 years old, you are twice time risky compare to others in term of breast cancer. Women with early menarche before 12 years old also sustain higher risk of breast cancer. Early menarche results in early onset of regular ovulatory menstrual cycles. Consequently, the girl might in an extended exposure to reproductive hormones. It is good to avoid from having a late pregnancy. Cancer research shows that women who have their first child only after 30 will in higher risk. However, breastfeeding is a good behaviour to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Risk Factor IV: Endogenous Hormone Exposures
Exposure of sex hormones, most properly extradiol (E2) in a long run will cause the developing of breast cancer. Many of recent cancer researches support an elevated risk among women with high E2 levels.
Breast Cancer Risk Factor V: Exogenous Hormone Exposures
The use of Oral Contraceptive (OC) has been a controversial issue that associate with the risk of breast cancer. The use of OC conferred a small increase in risk of breast cancer. The risk appears to decrease with age and time with OC discontinuation. However, OC consuming significantly reduce the risk of ovarian cancers. Another possible exogenous hormone exposure is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). HRT is used for the prevention of chronic disease for long-term use. This application might cause the increase of risk of breast cancer. Therefore, for patient that suffering severe menopausal symptoms have to deal with the significant challenge that related to the risk of breast cancer.
In conclusion, these are the risk factors that we need to pay attention. Although i’m not mention in this article, unhealthy life style also plays a role in contributing to the development of breast cancer accoding to cancer research. Live healthy with high awareness!
