WHEN A WOMAN IS IN DANGER OF DEVELOPING BREAST CANCER

When is a woman at risk for breast cancer?

The story of Angelina Jolie seems to have sensitized men but much more women, all over the world. But really, how many of you know when you are really at risk of developing breast cancer? What are the factors that should make you suspicious in order to visit your doctor even as a precaution? The scientific text that follows you will fully inform you.

In order to beat cancer, we must first prevent it.

A “risk factor” is anything that increases a person’s chances of developing cancer. Although risk factors affect its development, most of them do not directly cause cancer.

Some women with numerous risk factors never develop the disease. While others in which no identified factors get sick. Knowing the risk factors and talking to a doctor about them, can help. Either redefine her lifestyle, or make important decisions about her health. Lifestyle change combined with diagnostic tests is a personalized strategy to reduce the development of breast cancer.

Read the factors that may increase the risk of developing breast cancer in women:

The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. Most cancers occur in women over the age of 50 who are already in the menopausal stage. According to the National Health System (NHS), 8 out of 10 cases of breast cancer occur in women over the age of 50.

A woman who has previously had breast cancer in one breast has a 1% to 2% chance of developing it in the other within a year.

A history of ovarian cancer may increase the risk of developing breast cancer. If the doctor has detected mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in the patient, the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer increases furthermore.

Women with 1st degree relatives (mother, sister, daughter) who have been diagnosed with breast cancer have an increased risk of developing the disease. The more relatives who have been ill (either on the father’s or mother’s side) with this form of cancer, the greater the risk. If relatives became ill at a young age, it is an indication of an inherited form of the disease. However, most cases of breast cancer are not inherited (that is, they do not pass from generation to generation).

Specific genes known as BRCA1 and BRCA2 may increase the risk of developing both breast and ovarian cancer. A third gene, TP53, also appears to be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. If the relatives who have had breast cancer are grade 2 (grandmother, aunt, niece, granddaughter) the risk appears increased.

Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are associated with an increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. A blood test can help detect any mutation of these genes. However, this genetic test is not suitable for everyone. This should be preceded by a consultation period that will help the woman who takes the test manage her results. The researchers estimate that these genes are responsible for 5% to 10% of all cases of disease development.

Hormones, estrogen and progesterone, are linked to the development of secondary sex characteristics (such as breast development) and pregnancy. Their “production” in the female body decreases during menopause. Prolonged exposure of women to these hormones increases the risk of developing breast cancer.
More specifically:

  • Women who started menstruating before the age of 11 to 12 or who went through menopause after the age of 55 have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. The reason is that breast cells have been exposed to estrogen and progesterone for a long time.

  • Women who become pregnant with their first child after the age of 35 or who have never completed their pregnancy have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Pregnancy has a protective effect against breast cancer as it pushes breast cells into the final stage of maturation. In addition, it seems that breastfeeding also has a protective effect against the development of the disease.

Recent use (within the last five years) and long-term use (over a number of years) of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy increase the risk of developing breast cancer. The data show that the new cases of breast cancer diagnosis have decreased as the number of women undergoing such treatments has decreased.

As all types of cancer, breast cancer has been the subject of numerous studies and has shown that a variety of lifestyle factors can contribute to the development of the disease.

Recent research has shown that postmenopausal women who are also obese have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Read more in our previous article, Menopause and climacteric.

Studies have proven that lack of physical activity may increase the risk of breast cancer. Exercise lowers hormone levels, activates metabolism and strengthens the immune system. Increased physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of developing breast cancer.

Consumption of two or more alcoholic beverages per day, such as beer, wine and drinks with a higher alcohol content, increases the risk of developing the disease.

Radiation in high doses may increase the risk of developing breast cancer. However, the particularly low levels of radiation a woman receives during her annual mammogram are not associated with an increased risk of developing the disease. On the contrary, this screening test helps detect the disease at an early stage and to better predict a woman’s health

Dense breast tissue is relatively difficult to “study” on a mammogram. Because of this, a small tumor in dense breasts can be difficult to detect. Researchers are also conducting studies to determine if breast density increases the risk of breast cancer. But certainly so far there is no relevant documentation.

This is a special lesion either in the pores or in the lobes. The risk of developing breast cancer in women diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia is four times higher than in the general population. If there is a hereditary family history, the risk is six times higher. Her therapeutic approach is surgical biopsy.

Women who are taller than average are more likely to develop breast cancer than medium height women. The cause has not been determined. However, there is speculation that it is due to diet, hormones and the interaction between genes.

The term “in situ carcinoma” refers to cases where the malignant cells are confined to the lobe epithelium (lobular carcinoma) and do not appear to rupture the main membrane. In situ is more of an indicator of an increased risk of developing both bilateral or invasive breast cancer, rather than a precancerous lesion. The risk of developing unilateral and invasive breast cancer is the same. The coexistence of a family history of breast cancer increases the chance of developing invasive cancer.

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