Emed News

The important risk factors for developing breast cancer that you cannot change are: i) Age and gender - As you get old the risk of developing breast cancer also gets increased. The majority of advanced breast cancer cases are found in women over age 50. ii) Family history of breast cancer - You may also have a high risk for breast cancer if you have a close relation has had breast, uterine, ovarian, or colon cancer. About 20 to 30% of women with breast cancer have a family history of the disease. iii) Genes - Some people have genes that make them additional prone to developing breast cancer. These genes are normally produce proteins that protect you from cancer. But if a parent passes you a imperfect gene, you have an increased risk for breast cancer. Women with one of these defects have up to an 80% possibility of getting breast cancer sometime during their life. iv) Menstrual cycle - Women who get their periods early (before the age of 12) or went through menopause late (after the age of 55) have an increased risk for breast cancer.