Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers. Many factors can cause or risk factors for breast cancer. Some of these cannot be changed, but some can be changed with some simple steps and breast cancer can be prevented.
Causes of breast cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers. Many factors can cause or risk factors for breast cancer. Some of these cannot be changed, but some can be changed with some simple steps and breast cancer can be prevented. Combating modifiable risk factors and early diagnosis for non-modifiable risk factors with screening tests are important for breast cancer treatment.
Non-modifiable risk factors:
- Gender: Breast cancer is much more common in women. It is more rare in men.
- Age: 50 years and older are at higher risk for breast cancer. Women over the age of 50 who have entered the menopause are the most at risk. For this reason, early diagnosis of cancer with screening programs such as self-examination and mammography is important at this age.
- Genetic factors: Genetic changes inherited directly from parents have an important place in the etiology of breast cancer. The most important genetic changes are BRCA21 and BRCA2 gene changes. Women with this mutation have a 70% risk of breast cancer by the age of 80. This mutation also increases the risk of other cancers (such as ovarian cancer in women, prostate cancer in men, breast cancer). Apart from these, genetic mutations such as TP53, BTEN, CHEK2 play a role in the development of breast cancer.
- Family history: The risk is doubled if there is a first-degree relative (mother, sister, brother, daughter or father) diagnosed with breast cancer.
- Ethnicity: It is more common in women of Caucasian descent. Asians have a lower risk than Native Americans.
- Height: Tall women are more at risk than short women.
- Some benign breast diseases: Some benign diseases such as fibroadenoma and papillomatosis increase the risk. Presence of atypical ductal hyperplasia and atypical lobular hyperplasia increases the risk 4-5 times.
- Lobular carcinoma in situ : It is not considered as cancer, but the risk of cancer increases 7-12 times in its presence.
- Age of first menstruation: Women who have their first menstruation at an earlier age have an increased risk of breast cancer because they will be exposed to estrogen for a longer period of time.
- Age of menopause: Women who enter menopause at a later age (over 55 years old) will be exposed to estrogen hormone for a longer time, so the risk of breast cancer increases.
- Receiving radiotherapy to the chest area: The risk of breast cancer is also increased in people who received radiotherapy to the chest area due to diseases such as Hodgkin Lymphoma or Non Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Modifiable risk factors:
- Alcohol and cigarette use: The risk increases with the amount of alcohol and cigarettes consumed.
- Obesity: Excess adipose tissue increases estrogen production, especially in postmenopausal women who are overweight or obese. This increases the risk of breast cancer.
- Physical inactivity: People who do at least a few hours of physical activity each week also have a reduced risk of breast cancer. This is probably due to the effect of physical activity on weight loss, fat burning and hormone balance.
- Number of children: Women who have had their first child after age 30 or have never had a child have a higher risk of breast cancer.
- Not breast-feeding: Women who have never breastfed or breastfed for short periods of time have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer, possibly due to hormonal balance.
- Oral contraceptives: Some studies show that oral contraceptives increase the risk of breast cancer.
- Hormone therapy: After menopause, the risk of breast cancer increases in women who take estrogen therapy to suppress symptoms.