The greatest risk factors for developing breast cancer are being a woman who is getting older.
Risk factors for developing breast cancer fall into different categories, such as factors you cannot change or modify, like family history and personal history of breast or ovarian cancer, reproductive or hormonal factors such as age of menopause or age of childbirth and factors you can change such as lifestyle, body weight, physical activity and diet.
It is important to know your own personal risk factors. Talk to your health care professional about factors you cannot change and, where possible, change those you can.
Because there is no known way to prevent breast cancer, it is important to know your risk. It’s also important to practice early detection methods which are age and risk appropriate.
Know your breasts; know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer; look and feel for changes regularly. Talk to your health care provider about changes with which you are not comfortable.
When age and risk appropriate, have regular screening mammograms. Screening mammograms, performed on a regular basis, can detect very small, early stage cancers.
Early detection means smaller cancers, earlier treatment and a much higher probability of positive outcomes.
Early detection saves lives. Make it part of your life plan and encourage other women and men to do so as well.
