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 Breast Cancer Risk Factors

Breast Cancer Risk Factors

According to the American Cancer Society, some of the major risk factors include:

  • Gender A woman is 100 times more likely than a man to contract breast cancer (although the disease affects men as well).
  • Age Your risk of developing breast cancer increases as you get older. Nearly 80 percent of women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer are 50 or older. 
  • Genetics An increased risk of breast cancer can be inherited from either parent.
  • Family history Having a close blood relative such as a mother or sister who has had ovarian or breast cancer can increase your risk.
  • Race Caucasian women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer, although African-American women have lower survival rates. 
  • Personal history Women who have had breast cancer have a greater chance of developing another breast cancer.
  • Obesity Being overweight increases your risk of breast cancer.

If you have risk factors for breast cancer, be sure to discuss your concerns with your health care provider.

 

 

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