Menopause itself is not associated with an increased risk of
developing cancer. However, the rates of many cancers, including
breast cancer, do increase with age. In addition, some of the drugs
used to manage menopausal symptoms may increase or decrease a
woman's cancer risk.
What are the risk factors for breast cancer?
Certain factors increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
However, having many risk factors does not mean a woman will
develop breast cancer, and having no risk factors does not mean she
will not develop the disease.
Age is the single-most important risk factor for breast cancer.
The chances of developing the disease increase with age. About 70
percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer each year are over
age 50, and almost half are age 65 and older.
Personal risk is also greater if an immediate family member
(mother, sister or daughter) has had breast cancer, particularly if
it was at an early age. Also, women who have had a breast biopsy
(removal of breast tissue) that shows certain types of benign
disease, such as atypical hyperplasia, are more likely to get
breast cancer.
Other risk factors include:
- Having cancer in one breast (may develop in other)
- Late menopause (after age 55)
- Starting menstruation early in life (before age 10)
- Having a first child after age 30
- Never having children
- Never breastfeeding
- Being overweight
- Having a sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol use
- Poor nutrition (Low Vitamin D)
Does HT increase a woman’s chances of developing breast
cancer?
Evidence suggests that the longer a woman is exposed to combined
estrogen and progestin, the more likely she is to develop breast
cancer.
Hormone therapy (HT) is given to postmenopausal women to replace
the estrogen no longer produced by the ovaries. The longer a woman
is on combined HT, the greater her chances may be of developing
breast cancer. However, once a woman goes off HT, her risk appears
to revert back to baseline over 3 years after cessation. In the
Women's Health Initiative, women in the estrogen-only arm of
the study demonstrated no increased risk in breast cancer with an
average use of 7 years.
Can I prevent breast cancer?
There are steps you can take to detect the disease in its early
stages and increase your chances of survival:
The American Cancer Society recommends:
- If you are over 40, get a mammogram every year.
- Have your breast examined by a health care provider at least
once a year.
- Discuss chemoprevention options like treatment with tamoxifen
or raloxifene if you are at increased risk.