Think Pinker

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One statistic that is often quoted is that women have a 1 in 9, chance of developing breast cancer. A more practical way to assess your risk for developing breast cancer is to know your risk over the next year, or the next 5 years.

The chance of developing breast cancer increases with age. .

Average woman’s risk of developing breast cancer

Other risk factors, besides age, that add to the risk of developing breast cancer include the following:

Strong risk

• advancing age
• previous cancer in one breast
• family history of breast cancer
• past breast biopsy showing severely abnormal cells

Moderate risk

• over 30 years old at birth of first child
• past breast biopsy: any sign of hyperplasia
• post-menopausal obesity

Weak risk

• first menses before the age of 12 years
• menopause after the age of 54 years
• family history of breast cancer
• more than 15 years of hormone use
• moderate to heavy alcohol consumption

Risk factors that increase your chances of developing breast cancer:

Family history

A single case of breast cancer among close relatives only increases your personal risk a small amount, especially if the cancer was diagnosed when your relative was over 50 years old.

Your menstrual and reproductive history

Previous breast biopsies

Most benign or fibrocystic changes seen in a breast biopsy are not indicators of future cancer. However, if the cells in the normal milk ducts are beginning to look abnormal the risk of developing breast cancer later is increases slightly.

Lifestyle

The North American lifestyle results in higher rates of breast cancer than the lifestyles in Africa or Asia.

Diet

Regularly drinking more than 2 alcoholic drinks a day and obesity after menopause have been linked to higher rates of breast cancer.