This list is by all means not conclusive or exhaustive. If you find that you fall into one of these risk categories it does not mean that you will develop breast cancer, nor does it mean that you won't. These are simply factors believed to be identified as increasing a woman's risk for developing breast cancer in her lifetime. The more of these risk factors that you personally carry, the greater your chances are of developing breast cancer over your lifetime.
Learn how to reduce your risks by reading our "What you can do" page
-being a woman (99% of all breast cancers are found in women. NOTE that roughly 25 % of breast cancers are diagnosed in women around median age of 45, and over 10% in women ages 35-44.)
-beginning menstruation before age 12, according to the National Cancer Institute
-entering menopause after age 55
-delaying child bearing until after age 35 or not having children at all, according to the National Cancer Institute. This doubles your risk of developing breast cancer.
-not breast feeding
-being African-American aged 40-50. This group of women has a higher incidence of breast cancer than Caucasian women. African-American women also have a higher mortality rate from breast cancer than in any other ethnic group.
-testing BRCA1 or BRCA2 positive or having a relative that tests positive (these are the mutant breast cancer genes)
-having one or more relatives who developed breast cancer (even if they or you test negative for BRCA genes). There may be yet unidentified genetic factors linking family members who develop breast cancer.
-smoking or being exposed to second hand smoke
-alcohol consumption more than 2 drinks per day
-taking birth control pills, fertility drugs or hormone replacements
-the consumption of hormone treated dairy and meats is still under investigation as to its role in a person developing breast cancer
-living a sedentary lifestyle
-being overweight or carrying a BMI above 24.9, or carrying excessive weight around the mid-section
-exposure to chemicals
