Women who carry the brca1 and brca2 genes have a

Women who carry the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have a considerably higher risk of developing
breast and/or ovarian cancer. These genes can be inherited. TP53, another gene, is also linked to
greater breast cancer risk.
3) A history of breast cancer
Women who have had breast cancer, even non-invasive cancer, are more likely to develop the
disease again, compared to women who have no history of the disease.
4) Having had certain types of breast lumps
Women who have had some types of benign (non-cancerous ) breast lumps are more likely to
develop cancer later on. Examples include atypical ductal hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in
situ.
5) Dense breast tissue
Women with more dense breast tissue have a greater chance of developing breast cancer.
6) Estrogen exposure
Women who started having periods earlier or entered menopause later than usual have a higher
risk of developing breast cancer. This is because their bodies have been exposed to estrogen f or
longer. Estrogen exposure begins when periods start, and drops dramatically during the
menopause.
7) Obesity
Post-menopausal obese and overweight women may have a higher risk of developing breast
cancer. Experts say that there are higher levels of estrogen in obese menopausal women, which
may be the cause of the higher risk.
8) Height
Taller-than-average women have a slightly greater likelihood of developing breast cancer than
shorter-than-average women. Experts are not sure why.
9) Alcohol consumption
The more alcohol a woman regularly drinks, the higher her risk of developing breast cancer
is . The Mayo Clinic says that if a woman wants to drink, she should not exceed one alcoholic
beverage per day.
10) Radiation exposure
Undergoing X-rays and CT scans may raise a woman's risk of developing breast cancer slightly.
Scientists at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center found that women who had been

treated with radiation to the chest for a childhood cancer have a higher risk of developing breast
cancer .
11) HRT (hormone replacement therapy)
Both forms, combined and estrogen- only HRT therapies may increase a woman's risk of
developing breast cancer slightly. Combined HRT causes a higher risk.
Cosmetic implants may undermine breast cancer survival
Women who have cosmetic breast implants and develop breast cancer may have a higher risk of
dying prematurely form the disease compared to other females, researchers from Canada
reported in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) (May 2013 issue).
Recent developments on breast cancer causes from MNT news
Breast cancer less likely to recur in women with history of breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is associated with a 30% overall decreased risk of breast cancer recurrence among
women who have previously had one subtype of the disease, according to a new study published
in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute .