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, the breast cancer es the most frequent in women, and the age range of greatest prevalence is 45-65 years.
It is a multifactorial diseaseThat is, many factors will be involved in its possible appearance. Although it is true that its etiology is unknown in most cases.
For patients and specialists, it's very important to carefully screen high-risk patients to know what tests to perform and when to start. All this is done to ensure early diagnosis and the ultimate goal of achieving optimal results. increase survival and quality of life.
Breast cancer: risk factors
Risk factors are divided into 2 large 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 a 5-15% Breast cancers are hereditary. They tend to affect several family members and are more common at early 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, what we aim to do is individualize and personalize medicine as much as possible. If the patient is at low risk, screening (i.e., routine tests) would be different. However, for those at high risk, follow-up with mammograms, breast ultrasounds, and MRIs is essential.
As a novelty, techniques such as: Contrast-enhanced mammograms or abbreviated magnetic resonances.
In any case, it is important to go to the specialist and to the Breast Units, where the most appropriate follow-up and treatment will always be decided, and agreed upon with the patient.
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- Physiotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer
- World Breast Cancer Day: Our commitment to awareness and ongoing support
Article published by the Dr. Mª Esther Suárez Agustín.
If you found this article interesting and would like to be seen by a professional expert in Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Women's Unit at Ruber International Hospital has a specialized unit in this area. You can request more information by calling the following numbers: 91 387 51 72/73/74 or make an appointment for an in-person consultation, always with the best specialists.