Cause of Breast Cancer

While there’s no specific cause that leads to breast cancer, there are several factors that increase the risk for a woman to develop the disease at some point in her life.

Early Onset of Menses & Late Menopause

Having the first menstrual cycle before the age of 12 and menopause after the age of 50 increases the risk of developing breast cancer.

High Saturated Fat Diets

The type of food that you consume, especially the type of fats, is also considered an important cause of breast cancer. Monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil or canola oil, are less dangerous than polyunsaturated fats, such as meat or corn oil.

Breast Cancer Family History

A positive family breast cancer history is also considered a cause of breast cancer. However, about 85 percent of all women suffering from breast cancer do not have this family history.

Family history includes only close relatives, such as mother, daughters or sisters. If a family member was diagnosed with breast cancer after menopause, the risk only increases with 5 percent. If the diagnosis was given before menopause, the risk increases with approximately 19 percent. If the family member was both diagnose before menopause and suffered from bilateral breast cancer, the risk is about 50 percent.

Late or No Pregnancy

A pregnancy before the age of 26 is somewhat protective against breast cancer. In contrast, a late pregnancy or no pregnancy at all is a risk factor.

Alcohol
Having more than two alcoholic drinks in average per day is also considered a cause of breast cancer.

Estrogen Replacement Treatment

Many research studies have shown that taking estrogen for more than ten years slightly increases the risk of developing breast cancer. However, they also show that all the benefits of estrogen replacement treatments, such as reducing the risk for heart disease, osteoporosis and more recently colon cancer and Alzheimer’s are definitely more important.

However, women with a positive breast cancer or intraductal hyperlasia family history should be more cautious. There are no studies that support this practice at the moment. However, until more research is done, these women are conventionally taken off estrogen.

History of Prior Breast Cancer

Having suffered from breast cancer before is also an important cause of breast cancer. Women who have had the disease are at risk for developing it again. The risk increases with 1 percent per year and 10% during lifetime. Further clinical exams after a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment are meant not only to detect possible recurrence of the disease, but also to discover potential breast cancer in the other breast.

Female Gender

Statistics show that just by being a woman you are by far more exposed at developing breast cancer. For every 100 women diagnosed with the disease, only one man will develop breast cancer too.

Radiation Treatment to Chest Wall

Having followed a radiation treatment to chest wall for conditions such as Hodgkins Disease, is also a possible cause of breast cancer. Patients who have had this type of treatment are more prone to develop breast cancer about 10 years later.

Moderate Obesity

Research studies suggest that there is also a relationship between obesity and breast cancer. However, the relationship is more complex.

Individuals who have several of these factors combined are at much greater risk of developing breast cancer at some point in their lives that those who have none.