All You Need To Know About The Risk Factors For Breast Cancer

16 अक्टूबर, 2024
अपडेट की तारीख: 24 अक्टूबर, 2024
4 मिनट में पढ़ें

India ranks highest in number of estimated breast cancer deaths (98,337) for the year 2022 among females. Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older. Although all the causes of breast cancer are not known, your risk for breast cancer can be due to a combination of factors.

इनके बारे में जानें:

Genetics and breast cancer
Lifestyle factors and breast cancer risk
Hormonal factors and breast cancer risk
Environmental factors and breast cancer
Prevention and early detection of breast cancer

Genetics and breast cancer

In India, the number of स्तन कैंसर cases among young women is increasing. The genetic testing criteria for hereditary breast cancer caused by genes passed from parent to child have not been validated.

BRCA genes

Most inherited cases of breast cancer are associated with mutations in BRCA1 (BReast CAncer gene one) and BRCA2 (BReast CAncer gene two). The prevalence of BRCA mutations in India is higher than in Western countries, with some studies reporting rates of 29.1%. The function of the BRCA genes is to repair cell damage and keep breast, ovarian, and other cells growing normally.

Family history of breast cancer

Women with close relatives — especially sisters, mothers, or daughters — who have been diagnosed with breast cancer have a higher risk of developing the disease. Having one close relative (mother, sister, daughter) with breast cancer increases the risk, but two or more relatives significantly raise it.

Lifestyle factors and breast cancer risk

Given below are certain lifestyle risk factors for breast cancer:

मोटापा

breast cancer 1_Activ Living Community

Excess weight increases the risk of first-time breast cancer and its risk of relapsing as compared to women who maintain a healthy weight, especially after menopause. This higher risk is because fat cells make estrogen, extra fat cells mean more estrogen in the body, and estrogen can make hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers develop and grow.

शराब का सेवन

Research shows that drinking alcoholic beverages increases estrogen and other hormone levels and increases a woman’s risk of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Compared to women who don’t drink at all, women who have three alcoholic drinks per week have a 15% higher risk of breast cancer.

Smoking and secondhand smoke

Smoking is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer in younger, pre-menopausal women. Research also has shown that there may be a link between heavy second-hand smoke exposure and breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women. Smoking also can increase complications from breast cancer treatment, including:

Damage to the lungs from radiation therapy
Difficulty healing after surgery and breast reconstruction
Higher risk of blood clots when taking hormonal therapy medicines

Hormonal factors and breast cancer risk

Given below are certain hormonal risk factors for breast cancer:

Early menstruation and late menopause

Women who had their first period before they turned 12 have a higher risk of breast cancer later in life. The same is true for women who go through menopause when they are older than 55 The earlier your breasts form, the sooner they are ready to interact with hormones inside and outside your body, as well as with chemicals in products that are hormone disruptors, which can also increase the risk.

Hormone replacement therapy

While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) — can be an effective treatment for menopausal symptoms, it’s important to know that some types of HRT can increase your risk of breast cancer, especially if you have been diagnosed with breast cancer in the past.

गर्भनिरोधक गोली

breast cancer 2_Activ Living Community

According to a study published, all hormonal contraceptives carry a slightly increased risk of breast cancer, including the increasingly popular progestogen-only pills. The study stressed that the increased risk of breast cancer needs to be weighed against the benefits of hormonal contraceptives, including the protection they provide against other forms of female cancer.

Environmental factors and breast cancer

Given below are certain environmental risk factors for breast cancer:

Exposure to harmful chemicals

Research suggests that some chemicals in

Cosmetics
Hair dyes and straighteners
Food like antibiotics, pesticides, and mercury or when food is grilled and prepared
Lawns and gardens
Plastic products
Sunscreen
पानी
Polluted air containing dust, dirt, and smoke

may contribute to the development of cancer in people.

Radiation exposure

If your chest or face was exposed to radiation to treat another cancer or acne, you have a higher-than-average risk of breast cancer. The risk increases depending on how old you were when you underwent radiation. It is highest if you underwent radiation during adolescence when your breasts were developing.

Prevention and early detection of breast cancer

Breast cancer prevention and early detection can include the following:

Regular mammograms are the most important screening test for breast cancer. They can detect breast cancer up to two years before it can be felt. The American Cancer Society recommends that women start getting mammograms regularly, usually every one or two years, starting at age 45 to 50.
Smoking, being overweight, and an inactive lifestyle can put you at risk for breast cancer. On the other hand, increasing protective factors like quitting smoking and exercising can help.
Breastfeeding can help prevent breast cancer.
A hand-held device can help with routine breast self-examination.

Contact your doctor or other health care professional for more information.

While any type of cancer diagnosis can be a cause for concern, becoming aware of the risk factors, early detection, and proactive management can set the stage for overcoming it and supporting your overall health.

Stay tuned to the Activ Living Community. Keep up to date with the latest health tips and trends through expert videos, podcasts, articles, and much more on पोषण, फिटनेस, सचेतन, और लाइफस्टाइल से जुड़ी बीमारियां like Asthma, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Diabetes. Activ Living ke saath sahi sehat ki shuruat ABHI karo.

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