Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, but it is also one of the most curable cancers. When caught in its early stages, the survival rate for breast cancer is nearly 100%. Breast cancer awareness means knowing your risk factors and actively participating in your breast health.
How informed are you of your breast cancer risk?
Prevention and early treatment are your best tools for avoiding and surviving breast cancer. In the United States, approximately 70-80% of women exhibit breast cancer awareness, but behaviors vary widely depending on factors such as education, socioeconomic status, and access to healthcare. No matter what your background, one of the best breast cancer awareness tips is to identify your personal risk factors and get an annual mammogram.
Risk factors of breast cancer
Having one or more risk factors doesn’t make a cancer diagnosis inevitable, but it’s important to be aware of these risks. Some risk factors are based on your environment or lifestyle choices, while others are non-preventable demographic or family history factors. Knowing your risk level is important as it may affect your personalized screening plan. You may need additional types of screening other than just a mammogram, especially if you have dense breasts (link to a dense breast post).
Discuss the following factors with your medical provider so you can make a plan to minimize risk.
Non-preventable breast cancer risk factors
- Gender: more than 99% of breast cancer cases are biologically female
- Age: breast cancer risk increases as you age
- Genetics: Inherited genetic mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, significantly increase the risk of breast cancer
- Family history: Having a first-degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter) with breast cancer increases an individual’s risk, especially if the relative was diagnosed at a young age.
- Personal history: Women who have had breast cancer in one breast have an increased risk of developing cancer in the other breast or a different part of the same breast.
- Race and ethnicity: Breast cancer incidence rates vary among different racial and ethnic groups. For example, white women have a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to African American women. Still, African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer at any age.
Preventable breast cancer risk factors
A crucial part of breast cancer awareness is knowing about risk factors that apply to you that can be modified.
- Obesity: women who are overweight are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer and to experience a recurrence
- Physical inactivity: 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week lowers breast cancer risk
- Alcohol consumption:
- Smoking: particularly in premenopausal women
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): If you’re considering HRT, discuss the potential risks and benefits with your doctor
- Reproductive factors: Delaying childbirth until after age 30, not breastfeeding, and never having children can slightly increase the risk of breast cancer
- Birth control pills: Certain types of birth control pills may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer
- Exposure to environmental pollutants: Reducing exposure to chemicals such as BPA (found in some plastics) and certain pesticides may be beneficial.
- Radiation exposure: High doses of radiation, such as those received during radiation therapy for previous cancers, can increase the risk of breast cancer
It is important to note that while these factors are considered preventable, changing them without medical guidance may not be advisable. Discuss your risk factors with your doctor to decide on the best path for optimal wellness.
Breast Cancer Awareness Tips
In addition to knowing your current risk factors, being risk aware for breast cancer means monitoring breast health and any changes that occur. These steps can help you be proactive in managing your breast cancer risk.
Screening and Monitoring
Regular breast cancer screenings, including mammograms and MRI scans, enable early detection of abnormalities, allowing prompt intervention and improved treatment outcomes. The frequency and type of recommended screenings depend heavily on your breast cancer risk factors.
Proactive Health Management
In addition to regular health screenings, reducing your preventable breast cancer risk factors can help reduce your overall risk. Your medical provider can give you referrals to assist in adopting healthy lifestyle habits such as establishing an appropriate diet and exercise regimen and quitting smoking or consuming alcohol.
Education and Advocacy
When it comes to breast cancer awareness, knowledge is power. Understanding your risk is important, but even if you’re risk score shows you are low risk, you should still follow recommendations for annual screening. Becoming risk-aware empowers you to make the best choices possible and take charge of your health and your future. About half of women who develop breast cancer have NO additional risk factors other than being female and aging. So while understanding your risk is important it isn’t everything.
Learn more about breast cancer risks
If you’d like to take a more active role in your breast health, MagView can help. Follow our women’s health blog for more breast cancer awareness tips, news, and research updates.
![shutterstock_1299510538-[Converted]](https://magview.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_1299510538-Converted.jpg "monitoring breast density")
