Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women. In fact, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lifetime.

While there are many factors that can increase the risk of developing breast cancer, not all women who have these risk factors will develop the disease. Here are some of the most significant factors that can impact breast cancer risk:.

Age

Breast cancer risk increases as women get older. The vast majority of breast cancer cases occur in women over the age of 50.

However, younger women can also develop breast cancer, so it’s important to be aware of the other risk factors and to perform regular breast self-examinations.

Family history of breast cancer

If you have a close family member who has had breast cancer, your risk is higher. This is especially true if the family member was diagnosed with breast cancer before menopause.

If you have more than one relative with breast cancer, your risk may be even higher.

Genetics

Some women have inherited genetic mutations that increase their risk of developing breast cancer. These mutations are most commonly found in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

Women who have these mutations have a much higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who do not have them.

Personal history of breast cancer

Women who have previously had breast cancer have a higher risk of developing the disease again. This is especially true if the first breast cancer diagnosis occurred before menopause.

Radiation exposure

Women who have had radiation treatments to the chest area have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. This is particularly true if the radiation treatment occurred at a young age, such as during childhood or adolescence.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Women who take hormone replacement therapy are at a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer. This risk increases the longer a woman takes HRT and may not fully return to normal for several years after she stops taking the therapy.

Alcohol consumption

Research has found that women who drink alcohol regularly have a higher risk of developing breast cancer than those who do not. The risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed.

Obesity and physical inactivity

Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of developing breast cancer, particularly after menopause. This may be because fat tissue produces hormones that can affect the growth and development of breast cancer cells.

Similarly, physical inactivity can also increase the risk of breast cancer.

Reproductive history

Women who have never had children or who had their first child after age 30 have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. This may be because pregnancy and breastfeeding can reduce exposure to hormones that can affect breast cancer risk.

Women who started menstruating at a young age or who went through menopause at a later age are also at slightly higher risk.

Dense breast tissue

Women who have dense breast tissue have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. This is because dense breast tissue can make it more difficult to detect small lumps or changes during a mammogram.

Women with dense breast tissue may be advised to have additional screening tests, such as ultrasound or MRI, to help detect breast cancer.