Breast cancer is a disease that can plague a woman throughout her life. It is a cancer that develops from breast tissue and can become vicious if not diagnosed early. Several initial signs of breast cancer may include a change in the shape of the breast, wrinkling/dimpling of the skin, lumps found within the breast, red scaly patches of skin, etc. For those whose cancer has further developed may experience bone pain, shortness of breath, yellow skin, or swollen lymph nodes. Furthermore, risk factors that can lead to the development of breast cancer include large sums of alcohol consumption, brief to little physical activity and/or exercise, obesity, hormone replacement therapy during menopause, bearing children at a later stage or not at all, ionizing radiation, etc. Around 5 to 10 percent of women with breast cancer coincide with genetics and family history of the disease.

Breast cancer usually develops within the cells from the lining of the milk ducts and lobules that provide the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from the ducts are referred to as ductal carcinomas, while those originating from the lobules are referred to as lobular carcinomas. What’s more, there are 18 other sub-kinds of breast cancer. When it comes to diagnosis, a biopsy is of the curious lump is taken and examined. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, further tests are implemented to find out whether the cancer has spread past the breast and which best possible course of treatment to take. Below are five of the most common risk factors for developing breast cancer:

1. Being a Woman: While it is true the primary victims of breast cancer are in fact women, men are not exempted from contracting the disease. For instance, the American Cancer Society determined that almost 2,200 men developed breast cancer and around 400 would die because of it in 2012. But still the fact remains, being a woman puts an individual at a much greater risk for developing breast cancer.
2. Genetics: Unfortunately breast cancer can be a hereditary disease, as the gene is transferred from parent to child. Two of these genes have been identified as BRCA1 and BRCA2. These genes have uncharacteristic mutations that can lead to the development of breast cancer. What’s more is that every person has these genes as they are solely responsible for the well-being of the breast tissue. However, when they are mutated it is a strong possibility for breast cancer to occur. The good news is these mutated genes can be detected through a screening process early in an individual’s life. Therefore, those with a family history of breast cancer can know in advance if they are indeed at risk.
3. Race and Ethnicity: It has been documented that Caucasian women are more likely to develop breast cancer, yet African-American women are at a greater risk of developing more aggressive forms of breast cancer at a younger age than any other demographic.
4. Age: One is more likely to develop breast cancer as they grow older. In addition, two out of three cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed in women who are over the age of 55. Due to this fact, doctors recommend women to be screened on a regular basis at the age of 40.
5. Obesity: Statistics show that women who are obese are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer than those who aren’t. Obesity is defined by have a body mass index (BMI) of over 25. The risk is due to fat cells, as they produce estrogen a hormone known to be linked to the development of breast tumors.