There are several factors that may increase your risk of breast cancer. Some of these can be controlled while others can’t. Here are 5 risks from Susan G. Komen:

Age

Age can be a risk factor in several ways. The older a person is, male or female, the higher their risk of developing breast cancer. Both the age when a woman gives birth to her first child and the number of children a woman gives birth to affect her risk as well. Starting menstrual periods at a young age is linked to a small increased risk, just as going through menopause at a later age increases the risk.

Weight

Weight can be a lifelong risk. Women with a higher birth weight have an increased chance, and gaining weight in adulthood appears to increase the risk of breast cancer

Alcohol

Women who have 2-3 alcoholic drinks per day have about a 20 percent higher risk of breast cancer than non-drinkers.

Race and Ethnicity

In the U.S., breast cancer rates vary by ethnicity and race. White women and black women have the highest incidence (rate of new breast cancer cases) overall, while American Indian/Alaska Native women have the lowest.

Family/Personal History

A family history of certain types of cancer can increase the risk of breast cancer. This increased risk may be due to genetic factors, shared lifestyle factors or other family traits. Women diagnosed with breast cancer in the past have a higher risk of getting a new breast cancer compared to women who have never had breast cancer.

More information can be found on our Cancer Resources page. To help in the efforts of raising awareness and saving lives, you can give back with the purchase of a For The Girls collection wind chime. With the sale of every pink chime, we give up to 50% to charities that support breast cancer awareness, research and the patients it affects.

Have a blessed day,

Patty