Breast Cancer Risk Factors – To honor that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dr Daniel J Greene of Contemporary Obstetrics and Gynecology in Rochester Hills has provided Breast Cancer risk factors and facts.
OAKLAND COUNTY MOMS FAMILY HEALTH ARTICLES
The American College of Ob/Gyn is serving again as a national co-sponsor in an effort to raise awareness about early detection and promoting mammography for screening during October and throughout the year.
Women should always be familiar with vigilant about the signs and symptoms which may reveal breast cancer. They should also take advantage of the resources available that can help them assess their personal risk of breast cancer, as well as work with their doctor to reduce their risk factors and increase opportunities for early detection. Since October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this is on opportune time to learn how to perform self breast examination, schedule your yearly clinical breast exam with your health care provider, schedule a mammogram (if necessary or indicated) and make lifestyle changes that can help to prevent breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in American women. A new case is diagnosed approximately every 2 minutes and a woman dies from breast cancer every 13 minutes. These statistics are startling, but there is hope, as the odds of surviving breast cancer improve every year due to advances in early diagnosis and treatment.
The overall risk of an American woman developing breast cancer during her lifetime is 1 in 8 (about 11%), with about 3-4% dying from the disease. Identification of risk factors that may increase your chances of developing breast cancer is important.
Breast Cancer Risk Factors
- Personal or family history of breast cancer
- Carrying the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene (“breast cancer genes”)
- History of biopsy proven benign breast disease
- Never having a full term pregnancy
- Having your first full term pregnancy after age 30
- Excess body weight
- Early age at the onset of menses
- Late age at the onset of menopause
- Cigarette smoking
- Alcohol use equal to three or more drinks per day
- Diet high in fat intake
- Oral contraceptive use
- Hormone replacement therapy use
Despite identifying these risk factors, 70% of women who develop breast cancer do not have identifiable symptoms. In other words, do not assume that you won’t develop breast cancer if you lack these symptoms. Do not develop a false sense of security or complacency when it comes to your breast health.
This article was provided to Oakland County Moms by Dr. Greene, Contemporary OB/GYN, Contemporary Obstetrics and Gynecology in Rochester Hills. Call Contemporary OB/GYN today at 248-656-2022, or visit www.contemporarydoctors.com.
See related posts for more article regarding breast cancer and breast cancer risk factors.
