Breast Cancer Risk Factors

Most of us are aware that excessive alcohol consumption and smoking increase risk of not only Breast Cancer but various other cancers. Alcohol increases the level of estrogen and other hormones associated with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers. Alcohol may also increase breast cancer risks by damaging DNA in cells. Hence, limiting the amount of alcohol consumption is important.

Non-modifiable risks cannot be changed. However, risks may be lowered for some patients; for example, prophylactic mastectomy can be performed to lower breast cancer risks in BRCA gene mutation carriers. In terms of modifiable risk factors, leading a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, will not only reduce risks of Breast Cancer but also reduce risks of recurrence in survivors.
 
Although family history of breast cancer is a significant risk factor, only five percent to 10 percent of Breast Cancer cases are inherited. The remaining 90 to 95 percent of cases are sporadic. This simply means that if we do not have a family member with breast cancer, we are not spared from the disease. Therefore, it is essential for women to participate in Breast Cancer screening programmes and perform mammograms or ultrasound as per recommendation so that immediate action may be taken should they be diagnosed.

Thanks to Breast Cancer research over the years, treatment has come a long way; significantly improving survival and prognosis especially for patients with early stage Breast Cancer. There has been advancement in surgical techniques as well as neoadjuvant/adjuvant treatment, which are now widely available. *A neoadjuvant treatment shrinks tumors or stops cancer from spreading before any surgery, to make the surgery less invasive. Adjuvant treatment is done after surgery to kill remaining cancer cells and lower chances of recurrence.