What are the causes and risk factors for developing breast cancer?

It is difficult to say exactly what the exact causes of breast cancer are. But we do know what the main risk factors are. Sometimes, some women who think they are at high risk of developing breast cancer do not develop it. Also, many people who have no risk factors develop the disease. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of this.

Simply put, the main risk factors are getting older and having a family history of breast cancer. Women with certain types of noncancerous breast lumps and women who have had ovarian cancer are also at higher risk. If you have had breast cancer before, there is a chance that it will develop again.

What are the chances of developing breast cancer?

A long time ago, in the 1940s, a woman's lifetime risk of developing breast cancer was about 5%. But now that risk has increased to about 13%. And think about it, about half of those who develop this disease have no known risk factors. That shows how complex this is.

Risk factors we cannot change

There are some risk factors that are beyond our control. That means we can't change them. Let's see what they are.

Being a woman

Men can also get breast cancer, but women are about 100 times more likely to develop it.

You have had breast cancer before.

A woman who has had cancer in one breast, such as Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) or another aggressive cancer, is three to four times more likely to develop a new cancer in the other breast or somewhere else in the same breast. This is not a recurrence of the previous cancer, but a new one.

Age

This is a very important factor. Nearly 90% of women diagnosed with breast cancer are over the age of 45. And more than 46% are over the age of 65. The age group at highest risk is those between the ages of 65-74.

Having close family members

If a first-degree relative, such as your mother, sister, or daughter, has had breast cancer, you are at increased risk. Your risk is even higher if that relative developed cancer before the age of 50 and had cancer in both breasts.

• If one first-degree relative has cancer, your risk doubles .
• If two first-degree relatives have it, the risk increases by about three times .
• Also, women's risk increases if a male family member has breast cancer.

Genetics

Between 5% and 10% of breast cancers are hereditary. That is, they are passed down through genes. The risk is particularly high in those who have certain mutations in two genes called `BRCA1` or `BRCA2` .

• A woman with a mutation in the `BRCA1` gene has a 72% chance of developing breast cancer by the age of 80.
• A person with a mutation in the `BRCA2` gene has a 69% chance of developing cancer by that age.

Dense Breasts

Our breasts are made up of fatty tissue, fibrous tissue, and glandular tissue. Dense breasts have more glandular and fibrous tissue than fatty tissue. A woman with this type of breast has a 1.5 to 2-fold higher risk of developing breast cancer.

Other Breast Lesions

If you have conditions like `Atypical Hyperplasia` (lobular or ductal) or `Lobular Carcinoma in Situ`, your risk of breast cancer can increase by four to five times.

Reproductive History

The risk increases as the amount of estrogen your body produces throughout your life increases.

• Menstruation begins before the age of 12.
• Menopause after the age of 55.
• Never getting pregnant.

These factors increase the amount of time the body is exposed to estrogen, increasing the risk.

Other reasons

• Radiation therapy: If you have had radiation therapy to the chest area before the age of 30 (e.g. for cancers such as lymphoma).
• Other cancers in the family: If a family member has had ovarian cancer before the age of 50.
• Exposure to the drug `DES`: Diethylstilbestrol (DES) was used to prevent miscarriages between 1940 and 1971. If you or your mother have received it, your risk may be slightly increased.

Risk factors we can modify

The good news is that there are risk factors that are within our control and that we can change. By paying attention to these, we can reduce our risk.

Things that are not related to breast cancer (myths)

There are many myths about breast cancer in society. Don't be afraid of these things. Studies have confirmed that the following things have no connection with the risk of breast cancer.

• Wearing underwire bras.
• Use of antiperspirants.
• Having an abortion or having a miscarriage.
• Drinking caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee.
• Having `fibrocystic` breast conditions (these are non-cancerous lumps).
• Multiple pregnancies.

There is no reason to be sad or afraid about these things.