Breast Cancer: Risk Factors and Symptoms

Risk Factors

Anything which increases the chance of developing a disease is called a risk factor and factors associated with breast cancer include:

• Age
• Age at start of menstruation
• Age at first live birth
• Number of first-degree relatives (mother, sisters) with breast cancer
• Number of previous biopsies (positive or negative)
• At least one breast biopsy with atypical hyperplasia

Breast cancer may also be caused by inherited gene mutations. Heredity breast cancers account for approximately 5-10% of all breast cancers. Inheriting a mutation in the BCRA1 or BCRA2 genes are not taken into account in risk estimates with the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool.

Symptoms

The widespread use of screening mammography has increased the number of breast cancers before any symptoms appear; however, some are still missed. Therefore it is important that you are aware and report any changes to your physicians.

If you have any of these symptoms, contact your physician immediately.

• A lump or mass in the breast
• An unusual increase in the size of one breast
• One breast unusually lower than the other
• A puckering of the skin of the breast
• A new dimpling of the nipple
• A discharge or bleeding from the nipple
• A change in the skin of the nipple
• An enlargement of the lymph nodes
• An unusual swelling of the upper arm.
 

Last Updated: May 30, 2008