Be Aware: 5 Breast cancer risk factors all women should know

ashley

06 Oct 2017

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#1 You have dense breasts
Although medical experts are unable to explain this phenomenon, a link between one's breast density and likelihood of contracting breast cancer has been established. Consisting of milk glands, milk ducts, supportive and fatty tissue, the density of breasts varies in each woman. One with dense tissue in their breasts suffer from an increased risk of breast cancer as it would be easier for cancer cells to spread.
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#2 You have a family history of breast cancer
If you have a family history of breast cancer, there is a higher risk of getting Breast cancer. This is possibly caused by the genetic inheritance of the BRCA gene mutation.Although this is by no means cast in stone, the innate possession of this gene has been a possible root of breast cancer. Luckily, there are medical examinations that test for the BRCA gene. This way, one can stay vigilant and on the lookout for any warning signs
3/5
#You drink too much alcohol
You finally have a reason to quit drinking: excessive alcohol consumption increases your body's estrogen levels and damages DNA cells - both of which have been linked to possible roots of breast cancer. Research even suggests that for every drink you consume, your chances of getting this deadly illness is increased by 10%. That glass of wine does't seem so worth it now, does it?
4/5
#4 You’ve never been pregnant
With the correlation between estrogen levels and breast cancer established, it's been scientifically proven that unfortunately, estrogen exposure does in fact, affect your chances of breast cancer. Additionally, the breast cells are only considered mature after pregnancy: this means that 'immature' breasts, or namely, women who've never became pregnant are more sensitive to estrogen and in turn, breast cancer.
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#5 You had your first period before 12
Now this may sound unbelievable, but the onset of puberty and in particular, menstruation, is a deciding factor in breast cancer. Medical experts conclude that earlier periods result in a longer time period of 'immature' breast cells as mentioned earlier. This prolonged exposure to estrogen is an unfortunate yet possible risk of breast cancer.

It’s never too soon to take precautions.

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month: a timely reminder for all women to remain vigilant and cautious when it comes to this disease. Therefore, it seems as good a time as any to be educated on the risk factors of breast cancer among women – young and old. Contrary to popular belief, Breast Cancer does not solely strike older women. Recent research suggests that women, even in their 20s, can be at risk as well.

As the overused adage goes ‘prevention is better than cure’, it seems apt to remain alert and on the watch for any possibilities of breast cancer. We’ve curated a list of research-backed risk factors that increase the likelihood of breast cancer. By learning these warning signals, young women will be more cautious and on the lookout for warning bells that could compromise on one’s health. Browse through the gallery to find out more.

Ashley Anand

Photos: Getty Images

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