Risk factors for breast cancer
Today we talk about breast cancer: risk factors, with Dr. Suárez, a specialist from the Women's Unit at Ruber International Hospital.
As is already known, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and the age range with the highest prevalence is 45-65 years.
It is a multifactorial disease . That is, many factors are involved in its possible development. Although it is true that its etiology is unknown in most cases.
For patients and specialists, it is crucial to carefully select high-risk patients to determine which tests to perform and when to begin. This is all aimed at enabling early diagnosis and ultimately increasing survival rates and quality of life.
Breast cancer: risk factors
Risk factors are divided into 2 main groups :
Breast cancer: non-genetic risk factors
- The age of menarche (first menstruation).
- Age of menopause.
- Age at which you have your first child or not have them.
- Breastfeeding:
- The overweight.
- Lifestyle (alcohol consumption, tobacco, physical activity, type of diet, etc.).
- The use of hormone replacement therapies during menopause. If these symptoms persist for a long time, they have also been associated with a higher risk.
- Others of a different nature would be the personal history of previous breast biopsies. Depending on the result, even if they are benign, confer a greater risk for these patients of developing cancer in the future (hyperplasias, papillomas, radial scars, etc.).
- Likewise, a history of therapeutic irradiation of the chest wall at an early age (as in the case of lymphomas, for example).
- Finally, the density of breast tissue seen on a mammogram is also a factor to consider. If this density is high, especially in women over 50, the risk would be two to six times higher.
As we can see, some of these factors are modifiable, which is very important when it comes to primary prevention.
Breast cancer: genetic risk factors
Between 5 and 15% of breast cancers are hereditary. They often affect several family members and are more common at younger ages.
- High penetrance genes. They are rare, but patients with them have a 4.5 times greater risk of developing cancer. They are the best-known genetic mutations: BRCA1 and BRCA2 (although they only account for 20% of the total). More and more genes are being identified as being involved.
- Low penetrance genes. These are very present in the general population and would increase the risk of suffering from breast cancer by 1.1 to 1.4.
In this regard, we recommend watching the following video in which Dr. Bernar talks about gynecological cancer and genetics:
Early diagnosis of breast cancer
By studying all these factors, our aim is to individualize and personalize medicine as much as possible. If the risk is low, the screening of our patients (that is, the tests that are routinely ordered) would be different. However, in those at high risk, follow-up with mammograms, breast ultrasounds, and MRIs becomes essential.
New techniques are being introduced, such as contrast mammograms or abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging.
In any case, it is important to go to the specialist and the Breast Units , where the most appropriate follow-up and treatment will always be decided, in agreement with the patient.
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- World Breast Cancer Day: Our commitment to awareness and ongoing support
Article published by Dr. Mª Esther Suárez Agustín.
If you found this article interesting and would like to be seen by a specialist in Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Women's Unit at Ruber International Hospital has a specialized department in this area. You can request more information by calling 91 387 51 72/73/74 or schedule an in-person appointment with top specialists.