Understanding the risks which put women at increased likelihood of developing breast cancer is important for a couple of key reasons.
 
First, for women who already have breast cancer, knowing the risk factors that may have contributed to the development of the disease in their case may help them to educate other family members on the disease and what a history of breast cancer could mean to them.

Second, for women who have never had breast cancer, knowledge of the different risk factors for the disease may encourage them to make lifestyle changes (limiting alcohol, increasing physical activity) that can reduce their risk of ever developing breast cancer.

Risk factors for breast cancer include the following:

• Older age
• Menstruating at an early age
• Older age at first birth of a baby
• Never having given birth
• A personal history of breast cancer or other breast disease
• Having a first degree relative with breast cancer or ovarian cancer on mother’s or father’s side of the family
• Exposure to radiation to the breast or chest
• Breast tissue that is dense on a mammogram
• Taking hormones like estrogen or progesterone
• Drinking alcoholic beverages
• Being of Caucasian (white) descent
• Being overweight or obese
• History of exposure to DES (diethylstilbestrol)
• Lack of physical activity

It should be noted that, according to the American Cancer Society, there are many unproven, controversial theories on other risk factors which are assumed to be false until proven with scientific study.
 
Some of these unproven risk factors include antiperspirants, wearing bras, induced abortion and breast implants. It is also important to note that not all women who are at increased risk of breast cancer actually ever develop the disease. In fact, most women who are at greater risk never develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Conversely, there have been many occasions where women who were not at any increased risk of developing breast cancer eventually were diagnosed with the disease.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer in Georgia and feel your doctor detected it later than it should have been, please request a copy of I Have Cancer… Should It Have Been Caught Earlier?, which is our free book, or contact an experienced Atlanta medical malpractice lawyer at the Dover Law Firm at 770-518-1133 to schedule a free consultation.