What Are the Causes of Breast Cancer and Can They Be Prevented?
Breast cancer among women can be a very scary disease with the intensity ranging from person to person. Breast cancer has many different causes, some of which can be prevent and others are genetic. This article will take a look a various causes and risks of breast cancer, and how you can prevent some of them.1. Genes and Family History
The mutation of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene is linked to about 5%-10% of all breast cancers. If you have these genes and they change then you have a very high risk of about 80% of getting breast cancer during your life. This cause cannot be prevented unfortunately. If you have a family history of breast cancer on either the mom or dad side of the family you have a higher risk of getting it yourself. Most women who get breast cancer at one point of their lives do not have any family history, so this is only important to someone who has family history as they have an elevated risk.
2. Previous breast cancer history and Race
If you have previous breast cancer history such as cancer in one breast but not the other you will have an elevated risk of having it spread in the future. White women are genetically predisposed to having a higher risk of breast cancer. These risks cannot be prevented, however regular mammograms can help prevent very serious breast cancer.
3. Extended Use of Birth Control Pills
More than 10 years of use of birth control pills can put you at a higher risk for breast and cervical cancer. The best way to prevent this would be to talk to a doctor about a safe way of using the pill and what alternate birth control methods can be used.
4. Menstrual Cycle
Okay this goes two fold, starting your period early or going through menopause later in life can lead to an elevated risk in breast cancer, this cause cannot be prevented. However having children earlier in life instead of later in life and having more children at an early age can help reduce the likelihood of breast cancer during a women's lifetime.
5. Alcohol and Breast Feeding
Alcohol consumption has been shown to increase the chances of breast cancer among women. Breast feeding for 1.5-2 years will help give a lower risk of ever getting breast cancer.
|
|