Breast Cancer Prevention

The majority of cases (85%) are diagnosed in people without a family history of breast cancer. That is why it is so important to understand all the risk factors for breast cancer and to learn about breast cancer prevention.

The following factors can influence your risk of developing breast cancer.

• Sex. Being female is the No. 1 risk factor for developing breast cancer. Men can develop breast cancer, although fewer than 1% of all breast cancers occur in males.
• Age. The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. The majority of breast cancers are diagnosed in women ages 55 and older.
• Inherited traits. Up to 10% of breast cancers can be attributed to inherited genetic mutations, such as those in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 Having one of these genetic mutations increases your lifetime risk for breast cancer to about 70%.
• Family history of breast cancer. Having a first-degree relative (mother, sister or daughter) with breast cancer doubles a woman’s risk for developing the disease. Having a father or brother with breast cancer also increases risk. The more relatives you have who have had breast cancer, the greater your risk.
• Breast density. Having dense breasts, meaning they have more fibrous tissue than fatty tissue, increases a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. Dense breast tissue also makes breast cancer detection more difficult, which is why some women with dense breasts should have a breast MRI in addition to their annual mammogram.
• Menstrual history. Women who had their first period before age 12 or went through menopause after age 55 have an increased risk for breast cancer, likely due to being exposed to estrogen and progesterone longer.
• Alcohol use. Even one drink per day can increase a woman’s risk for developing breast cancer. Someone who has two to three drinks per day has a 20% greater risk as compared with nondrinkers.
• Obesity. Women who are overweight or obese after menopause are more likely to develop breast cancer than other women. Being physically inactive is also a risk factor, even if you’re not overweight.
• Hormone therapy. Risk of breast cancer is increased in women who use certain types of hormone therapy after menopause.

Researchers are still determining the best ways to prevent breast cancer. In the meantime, the following recommendations may reduce the risks of developing breast cancer in average-risk women:

• Maintain a healthy weight, especially after menopause
• Stay physically active
• Don’t drink alcohol
• Breast feed for at least several months
• Use nonhormonal methods for treating symptoms related to perimenopause

If breast, ovarian or colorectal cancer runs in your family, talk to your doctor about genetic counseling and testing. Working with a genetic counselor, you can determine if you have inherited gene mutations that increase your risk for breast cancer.

Women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation have up to a 70% chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. If you have either of these gene mutations, you and your doctor will devise a plan to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer, which may include the use of medication or preventive mastectomy (surgery to remove breast tissue).

We know a great deal more about breast cancer than we did even a few years ago, and scientists continue to study the disease and all the possible causes of breast cancer. Winship Cancer Institute is a leader in research aimed at better understanding breast cancer risk, particularly among individuals with inherited genetic mutations, and developing more-effective prevention guidelines.