The surprising factor that raises your breast cancer risk – and 4 other risks you need to know
MOST women know that a family history of breast cancer can significantly increase their own risk of developing the disease.
But far fewer are aware of an easy-to-spot sign that also poses a threat.
1
A survey of nearly 2,000 women found that the majority were unaware of the high risk of cancer dense breasts posed.
Dense breasts tend to be firm and have a relatively large amount of glandular tissue compared to fatty tissue.
This glandular tissue contains a higher concentration of breast cells than other breast tissue, which means there are more cells that can become cancerous.
Dense breast tissue can also make a breast scan difficult to read, as lumps or areas of abnormal tissue are harder to spot.
Almost 70 percent of the women surveyed saw breast density as a less serious risk factor than family history.
However, according to the study published in JAMA, women with dense breasts have a four times higher risk of breast cancer than women with the lowest breast density.
In comparison, a family member who has had breast cancer is only twice as likely to develop the disease.
MOST COMMON CANCER IN WOMEN
Breast cancer is the most common form of the disease in women and cases are increasing.
The earlier it is detected, the greater the chance that treatment will be successful.
According to Cancer Research, there are around 11,500 deaths from breast cancer in the UK each year, which is 32 a day.
The causes of breast cancer are not fully understood, but there are several other known risk factors that experts believe influence the likelihood of developing the disease.
The 8 signs of breast cancer you need to know
According to Breast Cancer Now, the signs of breast cancer include:
- A lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest, or armpit
- A change in the skin, such as wrinkles or dimples
- A change in breast color – the breast may appear red or inflamed
- A nipple change, e.g. B. She moved in (inverted)
- Rash or crusting around the nipple
- Unusual fluid (discharge) from both nipples
- Changes in breast size or shape
- Chest or armpit pain – although this by itself is not usually a sign of breast cancer, look out for persistent pain that is there all the time
You should see a doctor if you notice any changes in your breasts.
Although it is unlikely to be cancer, early detection improves the chances of survival.
Secondary breast cancer occurs when cancer cells spread from the breast to other parts of the body. At this point it is no longer curable.
You cannot change some of them, but you can change some.
According to the NHS, these are:
1st age
As with most cancers, the risk of developing breast cancer increases with age.
The condition is most common in women over the age of 50 who are past the menopause.
About eight out of ten cases of breast cancer occur in women over the age of 50.
2. Hormones and hormone medicine
The female hormone estrogen can sometimes stimulate breast cancer cells and make them grow and in some cases mutate.
Your risk of developing breast cancer may increase slightly when the amount of estrogen in your body increases, for example when you take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or birth control pills.
There is no increased risk of breast cancer if you are taking HRT for less than a year.
But if you use HRT for more than a year you have a higher risk of breast cancer than women who never use HRT.
And when it comes to the birth control pill, your risk starts to decrease as soon as you stop the pill, and your risk of breast cancer is back to normal 10 years after stopping.
Starting your period earlier and reaching menopause later also increases your risk of breast cancer because your body is exposed to higher levels of estrogen for longer.
3. Overweight or obese
Being overweight increases your chances of getting many different types of cancer, including breast cancer, research has shown.
One study found that the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer increased by 11 percent for every 5 kg weight gain in women who had never used hormone replacement therapy.
4. Alcohol
Alcohol also increases your chances of developing several types of cancer, research has found.
The more alcohol you drink, the greater your risk of breast cancer, says the NHS.
https://www.the-sun.com/health/7268855/breast-cancer-risk/ The surprising factor that raises your breast cancer risk – and 4 other risks you need to know
