Breast Cancer
By: Destiny Williams
What Causes Breast Cancer?
Age: risk goes up with age.
Genetic risk factors: Inherited changes in certain genes can increase the risk.
Family history: Breast cancer risk is higher among women whose relatives have this disease.
Personal history of breast cancer: A woman with cancer in one breast has a greater chance of getting another breast cancer.
Dense breast tissue: Dense breast tissue means there is more gland tissue and less fatty tissue. Women with denser breast tissue have a higher risk of breast cancer.
Menstrual periods: Women who began having periods early (before age 12) or who went through menopause after the age of 55 have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer.
Breast radiation early in life: Women who have had radiation treatment to the chest area (as treatment for another cancer) as a child or young adult have a greatly increased risk of breast cancer.
Not having children or having them later in life: Women who have not had children, or who had their first child after age 30, have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. Being pregnant many times or pregnant when younger reduces breast cancer risk.
Not breastfeeding: Some studies have shown that breastfeeding slightly lowers breast cancer risk, especially if breastfeeding lasts 1½ to 2 years.
Alcohol: The use of alcohol is clearly linked to an increased risk of getting breast cancer. Even as little as one drink a day can increase risk.
Being overweight or obese: Being overweight or obese is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer.
Treatment
The main types of treatment for breast cancer are:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Targeted therapy
- Bone-directed therapy
5 Year Survival Rate By Stage
II - 93%
III - 72%
IV - 22%