Are You At Risk? Key Breast Cancer Triggers To Know
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Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer that affect women across the globe. Early detection and screening improves the chances of successful treatment and recovery.
Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide, affecting women. It develops when cells in the breast begin to grow uncontrollably, leading to the formation of tumours. Most breast cancers originate in the milk ducts and may spread to surrounding breast tissue and, eventually, to other parts of the body.
When cancer spreads to organs far from its original site, the condition is known as metastasis and is classified as Stage 4 cancer – the most advanced stage, with the lowest survival rate. This makes early detection and screening vital for improving the chances of successful treatment and recovery.
With that in mind, let's explore some of the key risk factors that may increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer.
Genetic Factors
Certain inherited genetic mutations – most notably in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes – can significantly increase the risk of developing breast cancer. As these mutations are passed down through families, individuals with a strong family history of breast cancer are considered more vulnerable to the disease. Genetic testing and counselling can help assess this risk and guide preventive measures.
Lifestyle Factors
Certain lifestyle factors, either in isolation or in combination, play a major role in increasing the risk of breast cancer. This is particularly true for women who are in their 40s. Obesity, especially for women in the postmenopausal phase, is one of the major lifestyle-related risk factors for breast cancer. Habitual smoking, too, may act towards escalating the chances of developing the disease. Alcohol consumption is another lifestyle-related choice that has been identified as a risk factor for breast cancer.
Research suggests that there is a link between a woman's reproductive history and her risk of developing breast cancer. Women who give birth earlier in life and breastfeed their child tend to have lower chances of developing breast cancer. WHO and IARC have stated that breastfeeding has a protective effect against breast cancer.
Hormones
Early menarche and late menopause are two known risk factors for breast cancer. Women who experience either one or both have higher-than-usual exposure to estrogen. This prolonged exposure may put them at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Sustained hormone replacement therapy (HRT) also increases may serve as a significant risk factor.
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