Breast Cancer Risk

Because of your age, your immediate risk for developing breast cancer is very low.

Because of your age, your immediate risk for developing breast cancer is low.

Because of your age alone, your immediate risk for developing breast cancer is slightly higher than for a younger woman.

Because of your age, your immediate risk for developing breast cancer is moderate. However, because you have risk factors other than age (listed below), your immediate risk is higher than others in your age group.

Because of your age alone, your immediate risk for developing breast cancer is high.

Because of your age alone, your immediate risk for developing breast cancer is high. The additional risk factors you have reported (listed below) increase that risk further over a same-age person without risk factors.

Age is the greatest risk factor for developing breast cancer. Children rarely develop breast cancer. In fact, the incidence doesn't begin to rise until around age 17, but even then the incidence is low. Beginning about age 45, the risk begins to rise rapidly.

Age is the greatest risk factor for developing breast cancer. Children rarely develop breast cancer. In fact, the incidence doesn't begin to rise until around age 17, but even then the incidence is low. Between the ages of 45 and 65, your immediate risk of developing breast cancer increases, especially for women who have risk factors other than age. According to the American Cancer Society, about 18 percent of breast cancer is diagnosed in women in this age range.

Age is the greatest risk factor for developing breast cancer. Children rarely develop breast cancer. In fact, the incidence doesn't begin to rise until around age 17, but even then the incidence is low. Beyond age 45, your immediate risk of developing breast cancer increases, especially if you have other risk factors. These risk factors, especially if they are significant, will put you at increasingly higher risk as you grow older.

Age is the greatest risk factor for developing breast cancer. At age 65 or older, your risk for breast cancer increases with each passing year. According to the American Cancer Society, about 77 percent of breast cancer diagnoses occur after age 50, with the majority after age 65. Other risk factors, if they are present, become increasingly important in determining the risk of developing breast cancer in women older than 65.

Age is the greatest risk factor for developing breast cancer. At age 65 or older, your risk for breast cancer increases with each passing year. According to the American Cancer Society, about 77 percent of breast cancer diagnoses occur after age 50, with the majority after age 65. Other risk factors become increasingly important in determining the risk of developing breast cancer in women older than 65.

Because you are younger than 17, you have almost no immediate risk of developing breast cancer even if you have other risk factors, listed below. Any risk factors you do have, especially if they are significant, will put you in increasingly higher risk categories as you grow older.

Because you are not yet 45 years old, your immediate risk of developing breast cancer is low even if you have other risk factors, listed below. Any risk factors you do have, especially if they are significant, will put you in increasingly higher risk categories as you grow older.

Your risk factors and their significance, according to this assessment, are listed below.

About Risk Factors and Preventive Screening

Some risk factors, such as age and family medical history, cannot be changed. However, others—such as weight, smoking, and alcohol consumption—can be modified. If you have risk factors that are modifiable, you should consider making lifestyle changes to reduce those risks. You should avoid alcohol, quit smoking, lose weight if you need to, and exercise regularly. If you have children, breast-feeding them for several months can reduce your breast cancer risk. After menopause, you should avoid hormone therapy. In addition, a healthy diet and adequate exercise may reduce breast cancer risk.

A large portion of the women with breast cancer have no risk factors. Having risk factors does not automatically mean that you will develop breast cancer. But having risk factors is a good reason to discuss them with your physician and schedule preventing screening.

Whether you have risk factors or not, it is important to follow the national breast cancer screening guidelines. Here are the American Cancer Society's recommendations for screenings:

• Women who are age 40 or older should have a screening mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health. (A mammogram is an X-ray of breast tissue. The X-ray is taken by compressing the breast firmly between a plastic plate and a cassette that contains special X-ray film.)
• Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast examination at least every three years, as part of a regular health exam. After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health care provider every year.
• A breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s. Talk to your health care provider about the benefits and limitations of BSEs. If you notice any breast changes, talk to your provider right away.
• Women who are at increased risk should talk with their health care provider about whether to start mammograms at a younger age, have additional tests (such as breast ultrasound or MRI), or have more frequent exams.