Women in their 30s are much less likely to develop breast cancer than are women
in their 60s 1. Still, some women develop the disease at a young age. If you
are one of these women, you may be wondering, "Why me?"
Because breast cancer develops for many of the same reasons in both young and
older women, it is difficult to pinpoint why it sometimes strikes young women.
Several different factors contribute to its development, and many more are
being discovered all the time. Some factors include 2:
- Genetic predisposition: Approximately 5 to 10 percent of breast cancer cases
are a result of genetic mutations, most commonly in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
Women with these mutations often develop breast cancer at a younger age.
-
Atypical hyperplasia (A benign—noncancerous—condition in which cells look abnormal under a microscope and are increased in number): This condition
increases a woman's risk of developing cancer by between 4 or 5 times.
-
Previous radiation: Radiation on the chest for a previous cancer, such as
during childhood, significantly increases a woman's risk of breast cancer (some
reports say by 12 times).
-
Menstrual periods: Women who began menstruating early (before age 12) have a
slightly higher risk of breast cancer. The same is true for women who go
through menopause at a late age (after age 55).
-
Obesity: Being overweight has been a breast cancer risk factor in some
clinical studies. Fat tissue produces a small amount of estrogen, which can
make your estrogen levels higher. This can promote tumor growth.
-
Alcohol use: Excessive alcohol intake has been clearly linked to breast
cancer, with women who drink two to five drinks a day having approximately 1.5
times the risk of developing breast cancer relative to women who drink no
alcohol.
-
Physical activity: While this one is still up for debate, evidence is mounting
that women who engage in moderate exercise have their risk of developing cancer
reduced by 18 percent or more.
The exact role of these factors in the early development of breast cancer is
unclear, as cancer is often a culmination of several risk factors. If you were
diagnosed at a young age, remember that you were not singled out.
The big picture
While scientists are still seeking ways for women to prevent breast cancer, no
sure-fire method of prevention has been found. Women with certain risk factors
may not ever develop breast cancer; conversely, many women with breast cancer may
have no obvious risk factors.
It is important to remember that some the risk factors, such as genetic makeup,
are completely out of your control. However, other risk factors, such as alcohol
intake and amount of physical exercise, are in your control, so do what you can to help
minimize your risk, no matter what your age!
This news service and the information presented in it have been developed and created through a content collaboration between Novartis Oncology and VerusMed, An Evolution of Faxwatch™.
References:
1 http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/probability-breast-cancer
2 http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_2X_What_are_the_risk_factors_for_breast_cancer_5.asp
