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Causes of Breast Cancer - Genetics and Other

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Causes of Breast Cancer

Anyone can develop breast cancer at any point in their life. Even men can develop breast cancer. While this sounds unusual, in rare cases it does happen. So what do you do?

Often breast cancer runs in families; researchers recognize there is a genetic link making breast cancer a hard disease to cure. This article will emphasize the genetic link tied to breast cancer, and provide you with positive action steps you can take to cope with and perhaps prevent cancer if it runs in your family.

The Genetic Link to Cancer
The two most common forms of cancer detected among women are skin and breast cancer. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death associated with cancer following lung cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Each year more than 40,000 patients will die from breast cancer, with this number rising among women over 50 years of age. One reason is most women's health declines and immune systems simply do not fight back the way they used to as women age.

Family History and Breast Cancer Statistics
The National Cancer Institute summarizes multiple studies, all of which suggest women with a family history of breast cancer are more at risk than others. For example, according to the NCI, if a woman has a mother or sister with breast cancer, their risk for developing breast cancer may rise by as much as ten percent.

You are at greater risk for developing breast cancer if multiple people in your family have cancer. Cohort studies support this phenomenon. One reason researchers struggle to find a cure for breast cancer is they are working hard to identify and treat the genetic link that puts some women at greater risk for cancer than others.

The people most at risk for developing breast cancer include:

  • Those individuals that have family members who developed breast or similar cancers at an early age.
  • Having a family member that had more than one type of primary cancer, including breast cancer in both breasts or ovarian cancer combined with breast or other reproductive cancers (like prostate cancer).
  • A family history of males in the family with diagnosed breast cancer.

It is important to note a male's family history is just as important as a woman's family history when discerning your risk for breast cancer. A male can carry the gene for breast cancer and predispose his female offspring for example, to an increased risk for developing breast cancer.

Positive Steps You Can Take to Prevent and Treat Breast Cancer
If you find you are more at risk for breast cancer than most, you can take many different steps to protect yourself from adverse reactions or increased susceptibility associated with genetic typing.

The single most important step you can take is gathering a complete medical history from all members of your family, including the members on your father's and mother's side of the family. The closer one is to individuals that have or have had cancer, the more at risk they are for developing the disease.

If you do find you are more susceptible than others, you don't have to panic. You can work with your doctor to develop a plan of prevention and early detection. A healthy diet and lifestyle can reduce your risk for many cancers, and also prepare your body to fight back if you do become diagnosed with cancer.

Here are other proactive steps you can take to reduce your risk:



  • Make sure you perform monthly breast exams. If you are not sure how to do this, ask your doctor for help and information. Ask him or her to show you exactly what you should look for, and get to know your breasts.
  • Avoid excessive drinking. Women that drink daily may be at greater risk for developing breast cancer, even without a genetic risk factor.
  • Do not gain excessive weight. Exercise is important for maintaining a healthy body and preventing many diseases, especially in those predisposed to disease.
  • Make sure you get a mammogram regularly. The age at which you get your first mammogram will vary based on your family history and overall health risk.
  • Find out if you have an increased breast tissue density. A mammogram can detect this, and this may place you at an increased risk. Knowing ahead of time will keep you alert for the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
Related Articles: 
Debunking the Myths of Breast Cancer
Inflammatory Breast Cancer – Do You Know the Symptoms?
Plastic Bottles and Breast Cancer Risk: Separating Fact from Fiction

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