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Breast Cancer ~ The Facts

How common is breast cancer in the United States?

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, aside from skin cancer. During 2001, an estimated 192,200 new cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the United States. It is the second leading cause of cancer death, after lung cancer. An estimated 40,200 women are expected to die from breast cancer this year.

What are breast cancer "risk factors"?

To predict when and in whom breast cancer will strike, scientists must often think like detectives, looking for clues to signal which women may be more likely than others to develop the disease. These clues are called "risk factors."

Scientific Detectives

To identify risk factors, scientists continually examine various trends and patterns among women worldwide who are diagnosed with the disease. Age, individual and family medical history, reproductive history, genetic alterations, race, economic status, neighborhood and workplace exposures to pollutants, and lifestyle habits are all examples of the factors that can be evaluated. This information tells a scientific story that helps experts predict with some certainty a womans odds for developing breast cancer. Its important to note, however, that this is not an exact science and that such predictions are not definite.

Having one or two of these risk factors doesnt mean a woman will develop breast cancer (seven out of ten breast cancers occur in women with none of the important risk factors, other than simply being a woman). But knowing her personal risk factor profile and understanding what it means will help her and her doctor plan a course of action that may reduce her chances of ever getting the disease or, at least, to detect it in its earliest, most treatable stages.

The most common risk factors:

Age. The risk of breast cancer increases as a woman grows older. About 82 percent of breast cancers occur in women age 50 and older. The risk is especially high for women age 60 and older. Breast cancer is uncommon in women younger than age 35.

Personal History. Women who have had breast cancer and women with a history of breast disease (not cancer, but a condition that may predispose them to cancer) may develop it again.

Family History. The risk of getting breast cancer increases for a woman whose mother, sister, daughter, or two or more close relatives have had the disease. It is important to know how old they were at the time they were diagnosed.

The Breast Cancer Genes. Some individuals, both women and men, may be born with an "alteration" (or change) in one of two genes that are important for regulating breast cell growth. Individuals who inherit an alteration in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene are at an "inherited" higher risk for breast cancer. They also may pass this alteration on to their children. It is very rare scientists estimate that only about 5-10 percent of all breast cancers are due to genetic changes. One out of two women with these changes are likely to develop breast cancer. Women with a family history of breast cancer are encouraged to speak to a genetics counselor to determine the pros and cons of genetic testing.

The next three risk factors all involve estrogen, a hormone that naturally occurs in every woman. At the time menstruation begins, women start to produce larger amounts of estrogen and will continue to do so until they reach menopause. Estrogen appears to play a key role in breast cancer. Although estrogen doesn't actually cause breast cancer, it may stimulate the growth of cancer cells. Estrogen-related risk factors are:

Having an early first period. Women who begin menstruating before age 12 are at increased risk of developing breast cancer. The more menstrual cycles a woman has over her lifetime, the more likely she is to get the disease.

Having a first pregnancy after age 25 or 30. Although early pregnancies may help lower the chances of getting breast cancer, particularly before the age of 25, these same hormonal changes after age 35 may contribute to the incidence of breast cancer.

Having no children. Women who experience continuous menstrual cycles until menopause are at a higher than average risk.

Other risk factors and lifestyle choices to avoid them Common to all women are daily lifestyle decisions that may affect breast cancer risk. These day-to-day choices involve factors such as poor diet, insufficient physical activity, alcohol use, and smoking. Besides possibly reducing breast cancer risk, lifestyle improvements represent smart steps for a healthier life, since they can help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and many other chronic, life-threatening conditions.

Decrease your daily fat intake especially saturated or hydrogenated fats. Eat leaner meats and limit red meat. Reducing your fat intake helps prevent other health problems, such as heart disease and stroke, and may reduce your chance of developing breast and colon cancers.

Increase fiber in your diet. Fiber is found in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. This type of diet is beneficial for your heart and can help prevent other cancers, such as colon cancer.

Eat fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition to their fiber content, fruits and vegetables have antioxidant properties and micronutrients that may help prevent some cancers.

Limit alcohol. Evidence suggests that a small increase in risk exists for women who average two or more drinks per day (beer, wine, and distilled liquor).

Stay active. The U.S. Surgeon General recently reported that you can help prevent many health problems by engaging in a moderate amount of physical activity (such as taking a brisk, 30-minute walk) on most days of the week. Strive to maintain the body weight recommended by a health professional, since excess fat may stimulate estrogen production.

Dont smoke. Although smoking doesnt cause breast cancer, it can increase the chance of blood clots, heart disease, and other cancers that may spread to the breast.

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