Things that may increase one's risk of developing breast cancer
Lifestyle factors which are linked to breast cancer risk
With an incidental increase of 0.5% in the recent years, breast cancer remains to be one of the most commonly prevalent forms of cancer globally, and unfortunately, the second leading cause of death amongst women (and also a disease which afflicts women more than men). In India, every 1 in 28 women are said to suffer from breast cancer, and it is becoming increasingly prevalent amongst younger ages.
While breast cancer is a condition which can be managed and detected well with an early diagnosis, what's also causing an unfortunate rise, apart from genetic risk, is the changing environment and the increasingly changing lifestyle. Late pregnancies, obesity, pollution, incorrect diet and hormonal changes are some of the reasons behind the rise in cases. Like other forms of cancers, while breast cancer can strike any time, there are also some risk factors and lifestyle changes which may put one at a seemingly higher risk, and hence, must be prevented from the root for healthier living. So this Breast Cancer Awareness month, here are some factors and causes which put you at risk, and the ones you should work to prevent and avoid at all costs:
Increasing weight
Obesity is one of the biggest health problems affecting people globally. While an increase in weight does pose problems for the waistline, cholesterol and increases the risk of vascular diseases, it has also been seen that obesity is one of the factors which can increase an individual's risk of developing breast cancer. Breast cancer is also a condition which worsens when one is overweight after menopause.
When there's a higher disposition of fat cells in the body, the more estrogen you make , which can cause some of the cancerous cells to grow and cause trouble. Obesity has also been linked to higher insulin levels, which can also cause diabetes and other hormonal disruptions. Thus, whatever age you are, it's crucial to maintain weight and prevent any weight gain. Work with a dietician to make dietary modifications, exercise and move around to fight off excess fat. Remember, the more weight you lose, the less your risk of developing breast cancer, especially after the age of 45.
Dietary changes
Diet is also one important factor to check one's cancer risk. It has been said that consuming high-fat diets, which not only contribute to one's obesity risk, also is a big risk factor which determines breast cancer risk. Unmoderated, or poor dietary choices can lead to the development of fat cells in the body, which can increase estrogen levels. As such, it's important to limit or minimize the consumption of junk, processed foods, alcohol, meats, added sugar and refined carbs.
Alcohol consumption
It's important to curb alcohol and tobacco usage, and keep it to the bare minimal. Studies have highlighted that the risk of breast cancer increases with higher alcohol consumption. As per estimates, women who tend to drink more than 1 alcoholic drink a day have a 7-10% higher risk of cancer than non-drinking women, and the percentile risk further goes up with the more drinks one may habitually consume. Not to forget, alcohol consumption is a habit tied to multiple other risk factors, including liver damage, addictions, poor mental health, heart disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol issues.
While for starters it's important to not let your drinking habits turn into a chronic habit, people who drink frequently should first work towards cutting down their consumption, and have no more than one drink per day. As a precautionary habit, be mindful and aware about how much alcohol you do take in with every drink.
Reproductive history
While having a child, or getting pregnant at any age is a personal choice which lies with women, experts do say that late pregnancies , as well as a higher percentile of women tending to have no kids are at a higher risk of getting breast cancer. With later or no pregnancies, the breast tissue gets exposed to a higher volume of estrogen over time, which can certainly increase one's risk, especially if there are also other risk factors at play. Contrastingly, the risk of breast cancer may go down amongst women who tend to get pregnant before or around the age of 30 and those who have a higher number of births.
What may also impact breast cancer risk is choosing not to breastfeed. As per multiple studies, a reduced risk of breast cancer is one of the 'benefits' of breastfeeding infants for upwards of a year. Thus, it's important to ascertain one's risk and go for preemptive screenings and discussions with professional doctors, with respect to reproductive history.
Early menstruation and late menopause
Similar to reproductive history, experts also say that women who may get their periods early (start menstruating before the age of 12), or reach menopause much later also have a higher exposure factor to estrogen, which can affect breast tissues. Women facing such risks are asked to go for more frequent screenings, and be informed about their breast cancer risks.
Breast density
Those who have dense breasts, tend to have more fibrous tissues and less fat deposition in their breasts, which can also increase chances of developing breast cancer. Doctors also say that dense breasts can make it difficult to detect or visualize cancerous cells in the breasts, when mammograms are taken, or may require other forms of imaging techniques.
Apart from this, certain types of cellular abnormalities, or noncancerous breast conditions (benign issues) can also increase one's incidental risk of developing breast cancer. However, it's also important to remember that this can be a non-controllable form of risk factor. Getting breast implants is another factor, which has been previously tied to a higher risk of cancerous growth.
Using some forms of birth control
Hormonal changes and disruptions are an often-linked cause of some forms of cancer, including breast cancer. Using birth control, particularly the kinds which may include higher hormonal use (such as oral contraceptives, implants, IUDs, vaginal rinks) can increase the risk or likelihood of diagnosing breast cancer. Studies have also mentioned that women who may choose to go for hormonal therapy after menopause are also at a higher than general risk.