Breast Cancer Risk Factors (Infographics)

Breast cancer is one of the leading cancers among women in the US and in many other parts of the world.  Early prevention will  increase the changes of recovery and that is what makes it important to spread awareness on this diseases.

October is breast cancer awareness month, which makes a great time to  conduct free health check- up and community events to make everyone aware of the risk and prevention.

Though the exact cause of breast cancer is not yet fully understood, here are some of the major risk factors of breast cancer.

Gender

Simply being a woman is the main risk factor for developing breast cancer as  women have many more breast cells than men and  growth-promoting female hormones estrogen and progesterone

Age

 The risk for breast cancer increases with age. Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years of age or older.

Radiation therapy

Women who  have had radiation therapy in the chest area before age 30 have a higher risk of getting breast cancer later in life.

Alcohol

women who take three alcoholic drinks per week have a 15% higher risk of breast cancer than those who don’t drink.

Hereditary

A woman’s risk for breast cancer is higher if she has a first-degree relative in the family who have had breast or ovarian cancer.

Obesity

Older women who are obese have a higher risk of getting breast cancer than those at a normal weight. Leading an active life style is found to be beneficial in cutting down the risk of cancer.