A risk factor is something that raises a person's chances of getting a health problem. Some of these, such as family history or genes, cannot be changed. Others can be changed.
General Guidelines for All Women
Tobacco is harmful to the whole body. The risk of many cancers are higher in women who smoke. This includes breast cancer risk.
Quitting smoking helps reduce the risk of breast and other cancers. The sooner smoking is stopped, the sooner the body can start to heal. The doctor can provide guidance on quitting.
Alcohol may cause estrogen levels to rise. Estrogen is a female hormone. High levels can raise the risk of certain types of breast cancer. Women who drink alcohol can lower their risk by having 1 drink or less a day.
To reduce the risk of breast cancer, it helps to eat:
- Plenty of fruits and dark green, red, and orange vegetables
- Whole grains
- Legumes, such as beans and peas
- More chicken and fish and less red meat
- Less sugar and fewer processed foods
Eating a healthful diet can help control weight.Excess body weight, mainly after menopause, makes breast cancer risk higher. Fat cells release estrogen. The more fat on the body, the higher the estrogen level.
Movement is good for health and keeping a healthy weight. Physical activity helps lower breast cancer risk in women of any age. 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week is advised. The doctor can provide guidance on how to do this safely.
High levels of estrogen have been linked to breast cancer. For older women, estrogen comes from hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT is often used after menopause. The doctor can discuss risks and benefits.
General Guidelines for Women at High Risk
Some women have a higher risk of breast cancer:
- Age over 60 years
- Age over 35 years and history of lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
- Problems with BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes—or strong family history
- History of breast biopsies with results that were not normal
- Prior breast cancer
For those at high risk for breast cancer, the doctor may advise:
Women who carry certain genes are at high risk for breast and ovarian cancers. They can be tested for those genes.
There are medicines to prevent breast cancer in high-risk women who past menopause. Tamoxifen and raloxifene block estrogen from certain cells. However, these medicines also increase the risk of blood clots. Blood clots can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
References
BRCA mutation testing and management. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/evaluation/brca-mutation-testing-and-management. Accessed March 30, 2022.
Breast cancer. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/breast-disorders/breast-cancer. Accessed March 30, 2022.
Breast cancer in women. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/breast-cancer-in-women. Accessed March 30, 2022.
Breast cancer prevention (PDQ). National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/patient/breast-prevention-pdq. Updated February 26, Accessed March 30, 2022.
Breast cancer risk and prevention. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/risk-and-prevention.html. Accessed March 30, 2022.
Chemoprevention of breast cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/prevention/chemoprevention-of-breast-cancer. Accessed March 30, 2022.
Risk factors for breast cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/risk-factors-for-breast-cancer. Accessed March 30, 2022.
3/30/2022 DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance https://www.dynamed.com/condition/risk-factors-for-breast-cancer. Dorling L, Carvalho S, et al. Breast cancer risk genes - association analysis in more than 113,000 women. N Engl J Med. 2021 Feb 4;384(5):428-439.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Nicole Meregian, PA
- Update Date: 03/30/2022