What are the risk factors for breast cancer?
When we analyze any disease, there are conditions that have been studied to determine how they influence the predisposition that a person may have for the development of said pathology.
In this sense, breast cancer risk factors are a way to alert women about those aspects of their lives that may make them vulnerable.
Risk factors for breast cancer
In any case, it should be noted that there are factors that can be modified or that can be conditioned, because they are linked to the behavioral area; while others are invariable.
Unchanging factors
Age
As a person increases their biological age, the risks of developing cancer increase; In this sense, the most frequent cases of breast cancer occur after the age of 40.
On the other hand, to the extent that the disease occurs in a younger person, its complications are usually greater.
Genetic inheritance
The BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations are perhaps the most common; however, there are several genes that can be transmitted from parents to children and whose alteration can greatly increase the predisposition to this or another type of cancer.
Sex
Women are more vulnerable than men to the development of this type of neoplasm; however, they can also develop the disease.
Race
There is a slight difference that indicates a higher prevalence of cases among white people; Still, black people develop triple-negative breast cancer (the least common type) more often.
Stature
The genetic factors involved in growth and development influence a tall person to have a higher risk, compared to those of short stature.
Personal history of cancer or other breast diseases
Family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer
Similarly, if there are people in the immediate family (first degree of consanguinity) who have or have had breast or ovarian cancer; the probabilities increase towards other members of the same family nucleus.
Dense breast tissue
Some women have less fatty tissue in their breasts, which makes it difficult to detect abnormalities early when they have a follow-up mammogram.
Early development and late menopause.
As a person’s exposure time to their hormonal load is prolonged, the risks also increase.
Modifiable factors
Sedentariness
The lack of physical activity predisposes to the development of many diseases and it has been proven that those who practice sports at least 2 times a week considerably reduce their chances of developing cancer.
Obesity and overweight
Excess adipose tissue directly influences an increase in estrogen production that predisposes to the appearance of cancer.
Similarly, this problem is even greater after menopause.
Excessive alcohol consumption
As with other types of cancer, alcohol has been shown to have a significant influence on the chance of developing the disease.
It should also be considered that to the extent that the intake is higher; The risk factor increases.
Birth Control
There is some research linking oral contraceptives, injections, implants, and patches to increased risks; However, investigations are ongoing in this regard.
Not having had children or having practiced breastfeeding
In particular, women who do not have children or who have them after the age of 30 are at greater risk than those who achieve pregnancies at younger ages.
In addition to childbirth, the possibility of breastfeeding their children benefits women in the same way.
Menopause
Hormone therapies that are applied after menopause must be carefully administered under strict medical supervision; since in addition to cancer, they represent a risk factor for other cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis.
If I have one or more risk factors, will I develop cancer at some point in my life?
Even though it may be thought that risk factors for breast cancer or some other disease are synonymous with it; The truth is that the relationship is not directly proportional.
For this reason, even if a person does not have any of them, they can suffer from cancer or vice versa.
That is why knowing the risk factors will allow you to assume a conscious preventive behavior and in case of developing the disease; it will help establish an early diagnosis.
