RiSK Factors

Risk factors are anything that increases your risk for getting a disease. There are two types of risk factors those you can change and those you cannot.  It is better to focus on the ones you can change rather that dwell on those you cannot...


UNchangeable Risk factors:

• Gender {the occurrence of breast cancer in women is about 100x more likely than in men} 
• Race {white women are more to be diagnosed with breast cancer but black women are more likely to die from it}
• Genetics {a change or alteration in the breast cancer genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 increase some women's chances}
• Menstrual Period {women who began menstruating before the age of 12 and began menopause before the age of 55 have a slightly increased risk}
• Family History {women with who have had an immediate family member; grandmother, mother, sister, or aunt have higher risk.  Having one first degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter) doubles your risk}
• Personal History {a women with breast cancer in one breast has a 3 to 4 fold increased risk of developing cancer in a different site in that same breast or a new cancer in the other breast}
• Aging {your risk of breast cancer increases as you get older}

Changeable Risk Factors - Lifestyle Related

• Alcohol {women who consume one alcoholic drink a day have very small increase in risk, while those who have 2-5 drinks daily have about 1.5x the risk of women who drink no alcohol}
• Smoking {smoking affects overall health and increases the risk for other cancers also, as well as heart disease}
• Obesity/High-fat Diets {There are various factors to consider such as age when weight gain occurred, fat distribution; excess fat in the waist or hips, type of diet, saturated vs. polysaturated fats, etc.}
• No Children {women who have had no children or had their first child after the age of 30 have a slightly higher risk} 
• Breast Feeding {breast feeding may LOWER breast cancer risk slightly, especially if continued 1.5-2 years}
• Birth Control {women who use any oral contraceptive have a higher risk than women who have never used them. The risk declines back to normal over time once the pill has been stopped}
• PHYSICAL ACTIVITY {physical activity reduces the risk of breast cancer and will also lower the risk of other diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes}
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) {long-term use of HRT after menopause, particularly the hormones estrogen and progesterone combined, increase your risk}

Choose one thing to change today... "Change always comes bearing gifts"