The most well-known and common risk factor for breast cancer is
being female. Breast cancer is primarily known as a cancer that
affects women. While the majority of people who are diagnosed with
this type of cancer are female, it is not isolated to only women. Men
have been and are diagnosed with breast cancer, just not as
frequently.
Your age also plays a factor in how likely you
are to have breast cancer. Some women are diagnosed in their 40’s but
the majority of people diagnosed are over 50 years old. This does not
mean if you are in your 20’s or 30’s you cannot have breast cancer. It
does mean the likelihood (or chances) are far less when you are younger.
Scientists
and doctors have isolated some genes that can point to a likelihood you
will develop breast cancer. This means that you have inherited certain
genes from your parents that are called mutations and can increase your
chances up to 80% that you will develop breast cancer in your
lifetime. In the majority of scenarios, you will not know of these
genes unless you decide to undergo genetic testing. This may be an
option for you if there is a family history of breast cancer.
Two
other risk factors for breast cancer are race and if you have been
diagnosed with breast cancer already. Caucasian women have a higher
risk of developing breast cancer over many other races (African
American, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American). It has been noted
that they mortality rate is higher in African American women than it is
in Caucasian women who have been diagnosed. In addition, if you have
been diagnosed with this type of cancer before, you are at an increased
risk to do so again. This is not the same cancer returning but a new
instance of breast cancer in your body.