nd

There are many factors that can increase your breast cancer risk –

some you can control and some that you can’t. Having multiple risk

factors doesn’t mean you will get breast cancer, but all of the following

can elevate your risk:

Be Breast HealthyUnderstanding Breast Cancer Risk

Age. Risk increases everyyear after age 40

Early onset of menstruation(before age 12) or latemenopause (after age 55). More periods mean moreexposure to estrogen hormones

Dense breast tissue. More connective breast tissue also makes tumors harder to detect

Family history. Having a mother, sister, or daughter, or multiple grandmothers or aunts with breast cancer increases your own risk

Genetics. Inherited BRCA genemutations affect just 1 out of every 400 women, but are more prevalent in certain ethnic groups, including Ashkenazi Jews

Obesity. Being overweight or obese is especially concerning after menopause

No pregnancy or firstpregnancy after age 30.

Hormone replacement therapy and some oral contraceptives.The combination of estrogen and progestin is more likely to increase risk when taken for more than 5 years

Sedentary lifestyle. Notgetting moderate exercise –or 30 minutes most days

Alcohol consumption. Just 3 drinks per week increases your risk by 15%

Deodorant andantiperspirant

Poor diet. A diet lacking fruits, vegetables, and whole grains

Preliminary studies indicate the following factors may increase breast cancer risk.

These items have shown no link to breast cancer:

Exposure to chemicals in

food, including pesticides,antibiotics,& hormones

Lowvitamin D

levels

Exposure tolight at night,primarily from

night shift work

Type 2diabetes,

particularlyafter

menopause

80% of women that develop breast cancer don’t have any genetic or family history

and aren’t considered high risk. El Camino Hospital recommends all women –

regardless of risk level – get an annual mammogram starting at age 40. This is

the best way to detect cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage.

Saline or siliconebreast implants

Coffee and tea(caffeine)

Underwire bras Hair colorand dyes

Abortion ormiscarriage

Cell phone use

+

Injuring or bruisingyour breast

Milk or dairyconsumption

650.940.7050