What factors are taking you towards Breast Cancer?

Understanding the Factors That Increase Your Risk of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a common type of cancer that affects women. After skin cancer, it is the second most common type of cancer diagnosed in women in the United States. Even though men can get breast cancer, it is women who get it more often.

Survival rates have gotten better through the years; however, knowing the potential risk factors for contracting the disease is necessary for knowing how it can be prevented, and it’s better treated in the early stages.

Here is how breast cancer develops and how you can try to avoid it.

When to See a Physician

If you see a lump, swelling, or any other unusual changes in your breast, you need to make an appointment to see your doctor. This is the case even if your most recent mammogram was normal. An appointment for early evaluation can make a life-changing difference. 

Main Risk Factors of Breast Cancer 

1. Alcohol Consumption 

Even small amounts of alcohol can increase your risk of breast cancer to go up. Studies have shown that the more alcohol you drink, the greater your chances of developing breast cancer. 

2. Healthy Weight

During menopause, gaining weight may increase your risk of developing breast cancer. 

3. Physical Activity

In addition to helping you maintain a healthy weight, lowering the risk of breast cancer is another reason to get regular exercise. 

4. Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy

Taking estrogen plus progesterone may increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer during menopause. 

5. Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding helps the mother, in addition to the infant. 

Additional Factors to Keep in Mind 

• Age: Risk increases as you get older. 
• Family History: Having close relatives (like a mother, sister, or daughter) with breast cancer raises your risk. 
• Genetics: Inherited gene mutations (like BRCA1 and BRCA2) significantly increase risk. 
• Reproductive History: Having your first period early or going through menopause late increases your risk slightly because of prolonged hormone exposure. 

Summary 

Breast cancer awareness is about early detection. Protect your health with the right lifestyle choices. If you pay attention to these risk factors and take action, you will be able to prevent them and see to it that, if you do get breast cancer, it will be detected and treated early.