What Are The Causes of Breast Cancer?

Changes in a person’s DNA can cause normal breast cells to become cancerous. So far, most changes in breast cells happen in a person’s life and are not known to be inherited. Currently we do not know exactly what causes breast cancer. There is no detailed list that tells exactly why breast cancer happens but there are several known risk factors. For those who do not know, a risk factor can be defined as something that increases your risk of getting a disease.

Different cancers have different risk factors. Some of these risk factors can be changed and some can not be. Having one risk factor or multiple risk factors does not meant that a person will suffer from breast cancer. It means that you are at increased rick for contracting the disease.

There are many risk factors related to breast cancer that a person can not change. If you are fifty five or older you may be at increased risk. Most women who are diagnosed are fifty five or older at the time of diagnosis. You can not change your age. You also can not change your genetic risk factors such as gene changes which in come cases causes an increased risk of up to ten percent. Breast cancer is also considered to be likely if you have blood relative who suffered from the disease. Family genetics are a big risk factor. If you have cancer in one breast you are likely to get cancer in the other. People who are Caucasian have been known to get breast cancer more so than African Americans.Some risk factors are associated with lifestyle choices. If you have never had a child or had one later in life you could be at an increased risk of getting breast cancer. If you currently use birth control you could be at a higher risk also.

admin @ September 5, 2011