Personal Risk Factors Gender being a woman is the main risk factor for developing breast cancer (100 times more common in women) Age occurrence increase as one ages; 2 out of 3 invasive breast cancer are seen in women 55 years and older Race and Ethnicity white women are more likely to develop breast cancer; African-American women are more likely to die of breast cancer

Personal Risk Factors Personal history of breast cancer women who develop breast cancer have 3- to 4-fold increase in risk to develop a new cancer in the other breast or in another part of the same breast Previous Chest Radiation women who have had radiation therapy as treatment for another cancer are at increased risk of developing breast cancer

Personal Risk Factors Recent Oral Contraceptive Use slightly greater risk of developing breast cancer Use of Post-Menopausal Hormone therapy Combined PHT- long term use increases morbidity and mortality due to breast cancer ERT- long term use increases risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer

Personal Risk Factors Alcohol risk of developing breast cancer increases as the amount of alcohol consumed increases Obesity having more fat tissue (produces estrogen) increases the risk of developing breast cancer

Family History Genetic Risk Factors 5% to 10% of breast cancer are thought to be hereditary resulting from gene mutations; BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the most common mutations Family History of Breast Cancer risk is higher in women whose close blood relative have breast cancer - one or more first-degree/second-degree relative - breast cancer in a male relative also increases risk

Menstrual History Early menarche (before age 12) and late menopause (after age 55) increases risk for developing breast cancer Due to longer exposure to estrogen and progesterone

Pregnancy Women who have had no children or gave birth after age 30 are at increased risk Pregnancy reduces a woman’s total number of lifetime menstrual cycles, thus reducing exposure to estrogen and progesterone

Lactation Some studies suggest that breast-feeding, if continued for 1.5 to 2 years, may slightly lower the risk of developing breast cancer Probably due to reduction in lifetime menstrual cycles, thus reduced exposure to estrogen and progesterone

Other Information: High-fat diet Breast implants silicone breast implants, when perforated may cause breast cancer Tobacco smoke - California Environmental Protection Agency in 2005: "consistent with a causal association" in younger, mainly pre- menopausal women - The 2006 US Surgeon General's report, The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: "suggestive but not sufficient" evidence of a link at this point.