Know your Risks
Genetics
About 5% to 10% of breast cancers are thought to be hereditary, caused by abnormal genes passed from parent to child.
Ethnicity / Race
White women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than African American, Hispanic, and Asian women. However African American women are more likely to develop more aggressive, more advanced-stage breast cancer that is diagnosed at a young age.
Age
The risk of breast cancer goes up with age.
Family History
Women with close relatives who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer have a higher risk of developing the disease. If you’ve had one first-degree relative (sister, mother, daughter) diagnosed with breast cancer, your risk is doubled.
Personal History of Breast Cancer
If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, you’re 3 to 4 times more likely to develop new cancer in the other breast or a different part of the same breast. This is different from the risk of the original cancer coming back (recurrence).
Menstrual History
Women who started menstruating younger than age 12 have a higher risk of breast cancer later in life.
Having Dense Breasts
Research has shown that dense breasts can be 6 times more likely to develop cancer, and can make it harder for mammograms to detect breast cancer.
Prevention & Education
Educate and Empower Yourself
Lifestyle changes to lower your risk.
Lower your Risk
Alcohol
Some research indicates as much as a 15% higher risk of breast cancer for women who have three alcoholic drinks per week.
Exercise
Women who exercise regularly at a moderate or intense level for 4 to 7 hours per week can lower their risk of breast cancer by 20-30%.
Weight
Overweight and obese women have a higher risk of breast cancer compared to women who maintain a healthy weight.
Smoking
Smoking is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer in younger, premenopausal women. Research also has shown that there may be a link between very heavy second-hand smoke exposure and breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women.
What are all the screenings available to me?
You Have A Choice
Many women don’t think they need to be concerned about their breast health until they reach age 40, but for thousands of women every year, that is too late.
- Effective for women of any age
How to do a self-exam
Feeling the breasts to detect any changes or lumps. May be performed by a Physician or yourself.
- Mammogram X-ray exam of the breasts
- Mostly used for women 40 and older
- The most common screening method
- The Ultrasound Procedure uses sound waves to create a picture of the breast tissue.
- Available for women as young as 18
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Uses magnets to create 3-D images of the breasts.
- Effective for women at any age