Breast cancer is a very serious illness that can cause death if it is not detected and treated early on. According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 4 cancer diagnoses in women is breast cancer. Middle-age Caucasian and Jewish women, with a history of breast cancer in their family, are more likely to develop the condition. However, women of all ages and races have a risk of developing breast cancer as well.
Breast Cancer
According the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is caused by cancer cells that develop after the cells have grown out of control. The cells combine to produce a lump or mass called a tumor that can be benign or malignant. When malignant tumors develop, it is imperative to remove them from the body in order to keep the disease from spreading outside of the breasts. The seriousness of breast cancer depends on the stage of detection. Early detections through mammograms and regular check ups reduce the risk of breast cancer related death.
Race and Age
Caucasian women has the highest rate of breast cancer than any other group and they are more likely to develop the condition after age 40. Conversely, African American women are more likely to develop the condition before age 40. African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer regardless of age of diagnosis. However, Caucasian women have higher survival rates due to better access to health care.
Jewish women with Easter and Central European ancestry are also more likely to develop the illness; while Hispanic, Asian and Native American women are less likely to develop breast cancer than other groups.
Women ages 40 to 65 are at the greatest risk for developing breast cancer.
Family History
Women that have a history of breast cancer in their immediate family are at an increased risk. Women whose mother, daughter or sister has been diagnosed with breast cancer are more likely to develop the illness.
The number of immediate relatives with the condition also increases risk. For example, having one immediate relative with breast cancer doubles your risk of developing breast cancer and two immediate relatives make you five times more likely. When immediate family members develop breast cancer before menopause or if they had the cancer in both breasts, there is an increased risk of developing breast cancer.
Women that have distant relatives with breast cancer are at a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer.
Lifestyle
Women that drink at least one alcoholic beverage per day have a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer. Women that drink 2 to 5 alcoholic beverages per day are nearly twice as likely to develop breast cancer as women that do not drink at all.
Overweight women are also more likely to develop breast cancer, especially among post-menopausal women.
Childbearing Functioning
Women that do not bear children and those that have children after 30 are more likely to develop breast cancer. Moreover, women began their menstrual cycle before 12 years old and women that start menopause after 55 years old are more likely to develop the condition.
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