Factors that Influence Breast Cancer Risk

If you are a woman, then you already have a higher breast cancer risk than men. There are some factors that are simply outside of your control. There is not much that you can do about your sex or the genes that you inherited from your family. There are plenty of lifestyle choices that you can make, though, that will lower your breast cancer risks. Understanding how different risks could influence your health might help you make better decisions to avoid diseases like breast cancer. If you are in a high-risk category, then you should stay especially vigilante in your search for early warning signs of breast cancer so you can get effective treatment during the early stages of the disease.

How Genetics Can Influence Breast Cancer Risk

A family history of breast cancer can have a significant impact on your breast cancer risks. If you have several instances of breast cancer in your family, then you are most certainly in a high-risk category.

Some ethnicities also have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. For instance, you are in a high-risk group if your family has an Ashkenazi background. Caucasian women are also more likely to develop breast cancer than more women who have Asian, Latino, African, or Native-American backgrounds.

How Alcohol Consumption Can Influence Breast Cancer Risk

Some studies have shown that moderate amounts of alcohol can enhance a person's overall health. These same studies usually show that consuming too much alcohol, however, can have several negative health consequences, including an increased risk of breast cancer. Women who have one drink per day might not put themselves at greater risk, but some research suggests that women who consumer two or more drinks per day are 1.5 times more like to develop breast cancer.

How Obesity Can Influence Breast Cancer Risk

Studies have shown that obesity also greatly increase a woman's breast cancer risk. Even those who are merely overweight have a greater chance of developing breast cancer than those who maintain a healthy weight throughout their lives. The American Cancer Society says that getting 45-60 minutes of exercise at least five days a week can lower a person's risk of developing breast cancer. Not only does the exercise help shed pounds and lower breast cancer risk, it also improves general health and mood.

How Not Having Children Can Influence Breast Cancer Risk

Some researchers believe that a high number of menstrual cycles could increase a woman's risk of breast cancer. One of the reasons they think this is that there is a link between lower risk and having children. Women who give birth by the time they are 30 years old have a lower risk that those who do not. Research has also shown that having multiple children at a young age can lower one's risk. While having a lot of kids might not be the best way for you to lower your risk, knowing that giving birth before 30 lowers your risk of breast cancer might help you plan your family in a way that will benefit your health.

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