Facts For Life

Breast Cancer Risk Factors

10-30-12

What affects your risk of getting breast cancer?

The causes of breast cancer are not fully known.  However, researchers have identified a number of factors that increase one’s chances of getting breast cancer.  These are called risk factors.  Risk factors are not necessarily causes of breast cancer, but are associated with an increased chance of getting breast cancer.  Some women have many risk factors but never get breast cancer. Some women have few or no risk factors but do get the disease.  Being a woman is the number one risk factor for breast cancer.  Talk to your health care provider about your personal risk. There are some risk factors you can control, and others you cannot.  Remember, even if you do not have any of these risk factors, you can still develop breast cancer.