The current statistics for breast cancer are frightening. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American women–only lung cancer is higher. It is the most common malignancy in North America and in Europe. Thanks to the outstanding strides made in breast cancer treatment in the last few years, it is no longer considered a death sentence. Many more diagnostic tools and treatment options are available now than twenty years ago. While your chances of getting breast cancer are one in eight, your risk of dying is less than one in twenty-eight. That is good news as more and more women join the ranks of the breast cancer survivors.

With breast cancer, you cannot eliminate some risk factors. You cannot change the fact that you are a woman, you are slowly getting older, and if you have a family history of breast cancer. Should you have a close family member with breast cancer, such as your mother, sister, or daughter, your risk doubles. Other unchangeable risks are early onset of menstruation, (before you were twelve years old), or if you started menopause later than normal (after fifty.)

You also cannot change your genetics. A newly found genetic mutation is being researched. This genetic mutation may increase your risk of breast cancer. The genes BRCA1 or BRCA2 may be inherited mutations and may cause an increased risk of developing breast cancer. If you have a strong family history of breast cancer, especially in members of your family under the age of 50, you may want to talk to your doctor. You can have genetic testing performed to see if you are a carrier of this mutated gene.

There are risk factors that you can control, if you are aware of them. You will slightly increase your risk of this disease if you are taking estrogens with progesterone for symptoms of menopause. Birth control pills will also increase your risk; however, studies have shown that this risk is reduced if you have not taken birth control pills for ten years. Other risks that you can control are alcohol consumption, being overweight, not getting the proper amount of exercise, and (for some women) not breast-feeding.

Remember that anyone can develop breast cancer, including men. We are all at risk of developing a malignancy in our breast, and statistics are based on probabilities and risk factors. You can control and reduce your risk of breast cancer by taking care of your health, getting the proper exercise, and losing weight. Some risks are not under your control such as age, family history, early periods, and late menopause. Knowing what the controllable risks are, and working to keep your body healthy can reduce your overall risks, and help to keep you cancer-free.

If you are aware of being at high risk for developing cancer, you should have regular breast screenings, and practice self-examination every month. These two items can greatly reduce your risk of breast cancer.

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