The Breast Health and Healing Foundation: April 2014

Friday, April 11, 2014

Psst I’ve Got a Secret! A Breast Cancer Survivor Secret!

By Vera Viner

Were you diagnosed with cancer at some point in your life? Maybe it even happened recently? It is common to feel a rush of overwhelming fear and despair when you’ve been told you have cancer. One of the most important things a woman can have in her arsenal during a cancer journey is plenty of wisdom and advice from other cancer survivors.

This is why I am happy to announce the creation of an eBook that provides guidance on the breast cancer recovery process. The guide is called “Breast Cancer Survivor Secrets” and was written by Gai Comans. The author interviewed 21 breast cancer survivors to learn about their secrets that empowered their life throughout the treatment and recovery stages.

Gai Comans asked each survivor one question to learn more about the struggle, “What did you wish you had known when you were first diagnosed with cancer?” Each survivor also discussed their story of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Most of the cancer survivors were inspirational women who have gone forward with writing, blogging, and speaking out about breast cancer awareness. It is a truly inspirational guide that any woman recently diagnosed with breast cancer would find very helpful throughout her journey.

You can download the PDF file of this eBook by clicking here. Let us know what you think of this guide in the comments below! Additionally, if you have any requests for more useful publications about breast cancer treatment, please let us know. Thank you!

If you’d like to receive more information about breast cancer and find out what the Breast Health and Healing Foundation is doing to battle the disease, please sign up for our newsletter. You can sign up here: http://breasthealthandhealing.org/im-in/.

List of Benign Breast Conditions

By Dr. Kathleen Ruddy

Breast fibrosis is due to hormonal fluctuations. It is a common condition wherein the breast tissue will feel rubbery or firm. Though it resembles breast cancer in its symptoms, the lumps are not cancerous. As Americans become aware of the implications of breast cancer, such lumps are taken for biopsy. Luckily, most biopsies in United States revealed benign breast condition and not cancer.

Fibrosis and Cyst

Fibrocystic changes in women are largely attributed to hormones. The breast becomes lumpy and pain or discomfort is experienced in one or both breasts that usually occurs before the menstruation starts. It can be alarming because the lump is either rubbery or hard and can appear as small or large, but it is not a disease but a harmless condition. This state can also happen to postmenopausal women due to lack of hormone stimulus of breast tissue.

Duct Ectasia

Mammary duct ectasia is a normal part of aging. Women will have nipple discharges that are thick and sticky or inflammation of clogged duct can be experienced. Breast tissue can also turn red and tender to touch. In some cases, nipples are pulled inward when the ducts shorten. Patients can apply warm compress and take antibiotics to improve the condition.

DID YOU KNOW?

Breast cancer can sometimes develop due to less popular reasons. Lack of exercise is linked to higher risk of breast cancer while individuals who are engaged in regular exercise are less prone to this condition. Another factor is insufficient vitamin D. Vitamin D helps in controlling normal breast cell growth. Additionally, overexposure to chemicals in sunscreen can also lead to cancer symptoms. The American Cancer Society recommends breast self-exam once a month for women who are in their 20s and above. This act will help you to know your body more. Unusual changes should be relayed promptly to your doctor to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.

Fat Necrosis

Fat necrosis is a benign breast state. When the breast tissue does not receive enough oxygenated blood, the cell will die. Lumps are then formed when scar tissues form in the dead cell or when the dying cell releases a greasy fluid called oil cyst. In a mammogram, fat necrosis will resemble like a carcinoma so to be sure, MRI or ultrasound is recommended.

Mastisis

Mastisis is an infection that occurs after three months of giving birth or when breastfeeding. Breast swelling, warmth and redness of the affected area will be observed. This condition is sometimes due to the bacteria in the infant’s mouth, which enters the milk duct through a fissure in the nipple.

Benign Phyllodes Tumor

This type of tumor can sometimes grow large, firm, round and is movable. Although they are not painful, some women prefer them to be removed through surgery. A benign phyllodes tumor usually occurs in women between 30 and 50 years of age.

Women may experience breast fibrocystic changes in one point of their life. It can cause discomfort or pain. When such things happen, a thorough diagnosis has to be performed like breast biopsy or mammogram to rule out cancer. Dietary factors and alcohol intake should also be taken into consideration. There is really no direct collaboration with cancer and healthy lifestyle but in the long run, a healthy mind and body is less likely to get into other illnesses.

Recovery after Tram Flap Reconstruction: What to Expect

By Dr. Kathleen Ruddy

Approximately 226,870 women get breast cancer every year, and nearly one-quarter of those people die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Association. To help defeat the disease or to improve the appearance of the affected breast, many people choose to have tram flap reconstruction surgery to remove and replace the tissue in the breast that has been damaged by the cancer cells. If you are interested in tram flap reconstruction surgery, it can help to understand what you might expect from the procedure.

How does the tram flap reconstruction work?

A tram flap reconstruction surgery enables the doctor to use healthy tissue from your own body to reconstruct your breast. To do this, the doctor collects a section of muscle, fat, skin or blood vessels from one area of your body and then transfers the tissue to your chest to construct a new breast mound. The doctor may use tissue from your abdomen, back, thigh or buttocks to complete the procedure. There are two types of flap surgeries. A pedicle flap surgery entails the surgeon cutting some blood vessels to transfer the tissue to the breast while keeping other blood vessels intact whereas a free flap surgery involves the surgeon completely disconnecting the tissue from its blood supply and reattaching the tissue flap to new blood vessels near your chest.

How does your breast appear?

After a tram flap reconstruction surgery, the breast usually has a healthy and natural appearance. Although your breast may not look identical to its previous appearance, the surgery can restore the contour of your new breast so that your silhouette appears similar to the silhouette before the surgery. Also, because blood is still flowing naturally through the breast, it usually feels natural and similar to the way it felt prior to the procedure.

BY THE NUMBERS

There is about a 5 percent failure rate on all tram flap surgeries, in which case the new breast must be removed. That rate is much lower for pedicle flap surgery.

Is there any pain after the surgery?

Although most patients are not in severe pain following the procedure, many patients report experiencing soreness in the breast area. This soreness is a result of the stress caused on the breast during the procedure. This feeling might last for around three weeks, but your doctor can most likely prescribe pain medication to alleviate the soreness.

Do you require a cast or stitches?

The doctor must cut an incision into your skin to transfer the tissue to your chest and to reconstruct your breast. After the surgery, you have stitches on your breast to help the skin remain sealed until it can reattach itself. The stitches usually remain on the breast for up to a month, and you can get absorbable stitches to avoid ever having to get them removed. After the procedure, you might also need to wear a drainage tube on your breast to collect any excess fluids that are leaking from the stitched incision area.

Can you be physically active after the surgery?

The physical and mental stress involved with the procedure causes many patients to report experiencing tiredness and grogginess after the surgery is complete. This feeling of tiredness can last for around three weeks. Due to the nature of the surgery on the chest area, your doctor still might recommend that you refrain from many physical activities for up to two months following the procedure. During this period, the doctor may recommend that you avoid any heavy lifting and that you avoid doing any activities that might be strenuous for your body.

Although breast cancer is a dangerous disease that can impair the health of your body and the appearance of your breast, tram flap surgery can help you defeat the disease or repair the breast that has been damaged by the condition. When deciding whether or not to have a tram flap surgery, it can be beneficial to know what the procedure entails.

Preparation for TRAM Flap Breast Reconstruction

By Dr. Kathleen Ruddy

If you have one or both breasts removed by mastectomy, you may consider a TRAM flap breast reconstruction to recreate your appearance. The TRAM flap procedure uses muscle, skin and fat from your abdomen to create a new breast mound. Although the surgery can give you an authentic-looking breast, be aware of its limitations.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the TRAM flap procedure?

A TRAM flap breast reconstruction can significantly benefit your appearance. Because the new breast is made out of your body’s own material, it looks and feels like a natural breast to the touch. The operation also gives you a more slender look, owing to the tummy tuck it involves. However, the TRAM flap procedure does not reverse the mastectomy’s removal of your original breast’s nerves. Thus, your new breast has very little sensation. It is also possible for the flap to die, requiring removal of your reconstructed breast.

What physical condition is ideal for TRAM flap breast reconstruction?

If you wish to undergo TRAM flap breast reconstruction, you must fit certain physical criteria. You do not qualify for TRAM flap reconstruction if you are obese or overweight, as this places you at greater risk for an abdominal hernia. You do not qualify if you are too thin, because your abdomen has insufficient tissue for the procedure. Also keep from smoking, as this increases the likelihood that your abdominal fat tissue becomes scar tissue.

EDITOR’S TIP:

When making the decision to have reconstructive surgery, it helps to talk to women who have been through it. They are a great source of information and may have tips that doctors may leave out.

What should you consider before undergoing TRAM flap breast reconstruction?

Keep certain considerations in mind as you make the decision to receive TRAM flap breast reconstruction. Because your surgeon can only remove abdominal tissue from you once, this surgery is a single opportunity (a subsequent breast reconstruction would require another method). The operation leaves your abdomen with a long scar, which may be a deterrent if you like to wear bikinis. Also, your belly button may be stretched or moved during the TRAM, although your doctor can create a new one for you.

What is the recovery from a TRAM flap procedure?

You may have to stay up to a week in the hospital to recover from a TRAM procedure. Avoid strenuous work, especially heavy lifting, for three to six weeks. Following surgery, you are at risk for abdominal hernia and abdominal bulge. Keep your follow-up appointments with the surgeon to track your condition.

A TRAM flap beast reconstruction can restore the look and feel of your natural breast. Although it is generally successful, it is not without risks and restrictions. Consult with your plastic surgeon to determine if TRAM is the best reconstruction method for you.

Understanding The Genetic Risk For Breast Cancer

By Dr. Kathleen Ruddy

Scientists believe that 5-10% of all women diagnosed with breast cancer carry a gene responsible for causing the disease. Some of these genes, all of which are inherited, have been identified and several blood tests have been developed to identify women from high-risk families who carry these mutations. Understanding what genes have been discovered and learning more about who should be tested are important for the early detection and treatment of inherited breast cancer in high-risk families.

What is the most common gene involved in inherited breast cancer?

A BRCA mutation is the most common gene involved in hereditary breast cancer. When this gene is inherited in a mutated form, normal breast cells are more vulnerable to malignant transformation.

Can the BRCA mutation be inherited from either parent?

Yes, the BRCA mutation can be inherited from either parent. Thus, if there is a strong family history of breast cancer on the father’s side of the family, his daughters may be at risk for inheriting a BRCA mutation.

DID YOU KNOW?

Blood tests are now available to detect BRCA mutations in women who come from families where there is a high incidence of breast cancer. Because genetic testing is a complicated process that involves many choices if a woman tests positive for the BRCA mutation, it is best for interested women to seek professional advise from a genetic counselor.

Are there any other consequences of inheriting a BRCA mutation?

Women who inherit a BRCA mutation, from either parent, tend to develop breast cancer at a younger age. And they tend to develop breast cancer in both breasts (bilateral) more often than women who do not carry the mutation.

Are there any other cancers associated with the BRCA mutation?

Yes, women who carry the BRCA mutation have an increased risk for ovarian cancer and a slightly increased risk for colon cancer.
Hereditary breast cancer is most often associated with a BRCA mutation. The lifetime risk of breast cancer in women who carry a BRCA mutation is approximately 50-85%. Women who come from families where breast cancer incidence in high, either on the mother or the father’s side, should seek professional advice from a qualified genetic counselor.

The Antidepressant Paxil Could Lead to Breast Cancer in Women

By Vera Viner

If you are a woman suffering from depression, you may want to speak with your psychiatrist to see if the drugs you are taking are relatively safe and have no known risks for cancer. Taking care of our physical and mental health is very important and those suffering from anxiety, depression, or any other psychological condition should research the risks of the drugs they are taking and discuss any hazards along with benefits of their medication with their doctor(s).

New research from the City of Hope suggests that the antidepressant Paxil has been linked with a weak estrogenic affect that may lead to breast cancer development, according to the Los Angeles Times. This finding is vital to consider, as many breast cancer survivors – as much as 25 percent – are taking anti-depressants due to the toll the disease takes on their psychological well-being. The researchers studied a total of 1,536 compounds to discover which chemicals inhibit aromatase, an enzyme that plays a role in breast cell function.

Because many breast cancer survivors have an excess of estrogen already in their system, this extra boost from Paxil could potentially cause cancer recurrence. If you are a survivor, speak to your psychiatrist and oncologist to discuss alternative options to the antidepressant Paxil. This research has also shed light on previous studies where women who were taking both tamoxifen and Paxil had a higher risk of death from breast cancer. It is surmised that Paxil could have prevented a liver enzyme from metabolizing tamoxifen.

“The paroxetine finding helps explain previous studies showing that it reduces tamoxifen therapy’s effectiveness,” Shiuan Chen, Ph.D., professor and chair of City of Hope’s Department of Cancer Biology and lead author of the study, said in a press release. “And it has implications for patients with estrogen-sensitive breast cancer who are on other medications.”

This type of information is also important to keep in mind. The way medications mix when in your system could be potentially harmful. Discuss ALL of the medications you are taking with your doctor to see if there could be adverse drug reactions.

Another interesting finding from the research shows that two anti-fungal medications (biconazole and oxyconazole) have a similar effect to medication that is used to prevent breast cancer in women. If you are a breast cancer survivor or the disease runs in your family, please keep these findings in mind and discuss all of the medications you are taking with your physician.

Weight Gain Increases The Risk For Breast Cancer Recurrence And Death

By Dr. Kathleen Ruddy

The overall survival rate after five years of follow up for early-stage breast cancer is now greater than 90%. While this is excellent news for the majority of women with early-stage breast cancer, all breast cancer patients should be aware of ways in which a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk for recurrence and death following treatment. Maintaining ideal body weight has now been shown to be an important strategy for achieving these goals.

Why is weight control important for breast cancer survivors?

Research shows that breast cancer survivors who maintain ideal body weight have a much lower risk for breast cancer recurrence.

Are there any other reasons to maintain ideal body weight following breast cancer treatment?

Yes, research also shows that women who maintain ideal body weight following treatment live longer than survivors who gain weight.

DID YOU KNOW?

Currently, the majority of women in the United States are overweight. Estimates are that approximately 62% of adult women are over their ideal body weight.

Is the risk of recurrence dependent on large weight gain?

No, the risk for breast cancer recurrence is appreciable even in survivors who gain only a small amount of weight following treatment.

What are the statistics related to weight gain and breast cancer recurrence and death?

Women who are obese at the time they are diagnosed with breast cancer have a 30% chance of recurrence and a 50% chance of death compared to women of ideal body weight.

What scientific study showed a link between weight gain and breast cancer recurrence and death?

The Albert Einstein College of Medicine studied 7000 women treated for Stage I – III breast cancer and found that obesity at the time of diagnosis, and weight gain following treatment, significantly increased the risk for recurrence and death in survivors.

Why might obesity and weight gain increase the risk of recurrence and death?

Fat cells make estrogen, though in much smaller quantities than that made in the ovaries during the reproductive years. Excess fat produces excess amounts of estrogen in the body that may contribute to the growth of breast cancer cells. Also, women who carry excess weight do so because they take in excess calories. Over-eating is associated with elevated levels of insulin, another hormone that encourages the growth of breast cancer cells.

Does being overweight increase the risk for breast cancer, per se?

Yes, studies show that women who are overweight following menopause increase their risk for breast cancer by 30-60%.
An enlarging body of evidence indicates that being overweight increases the risk for breast cancer in post-menopausal women and increases the risk of recurrence and death in breast cancer survivors. Even small increments of excess weight increase the risk for recurrence and death following breast cancer treatment. Ideal body weight should be maintained at every age, especially for women who wish to reduce their risk for breast cancer, and certainly for breast cancer survivors who want to increase their chance for survival.

30 Years of Night Shift Work Doubles Risk For Breast Cancer

By Dr. Kathleen Ruddy

Several studies involving nurses whose careers typically involves shift work have suggested that an irregular work schedule, particularly if the work disrupts normal sleep patterns, may increase the risk for breast cancer. Because other professions such as air traffic controllers and public safety officers often involve shift work, researchers in Canada wanted to investigate the broader association between fluctuating work schedules and the risk for breast cancer.

How many women were involved in the study?

A group of 2313 women in Canada, (Vancouver, British Columbia, and Ontario) whose jobs involved night shift duty were studied to examine the relationship between night shift duty and the risk for breast cancer. Within this group, there were 1134 who were breast cancer survivors and 1179 otherwise healthy women.

What were the results of the study?

Researchers in Canada found that women who worked any type of job that involved night shift work for more than 30 years had a markedly increased risk for breast cancer. Women who worked night shifts for less than 30 years appeared to have no increased risk for breast cancer.

DID YOU KNOW?

Estrogen receptors are proteins that allow estrogen, a hormone made and secreted primarily by the ovaries, to move from the bloodstream into the cells of the breast. Scientists have found that women who work night shifts for more than 30 years have a increased risk for breast cancer tumors that express estrogen receptors.

How much did night shift work increase the risk for breast cancer?

Women who worked night shifts for more than 30 years had twice the risk of breast cancer compared to other women.

What factors might contribute to the increased risk for breast cancer in night shift workers?

Night shift work disrupts the body’s normal sleep/wake cycle and the hormones, such as melatonin and glucocorticoids, that regulate this cycle. Researchers have discovered that when melatonin is altered by night shift work, there is a compensatory rise in estrogen levels. Estrogen is a female sex hormone that is known to increase the risk for breast cancer, thus it is hypothesized that the elevation of estrogen observed in night shift workers may contribute to their increased risk for breast cancer.

Women whose jobs involved working night shifts for more than 30 years have twice the risk for breast cancer compared to other women. Night shift work alters the normal sleep/wake cycle and disturbs the hormones, such as melatonin, that control this cycle. When melatonin levels are altered, there is a corresponding elevation in the production of estrogen, which may explain why women who work night shifts for more than 30 years have both an increased risk for breast cancer and an increased risk for tumors that express estrogen receptors.

If you’d like to receive more information about breast cancer and what the Breast Health and Healing Foundation is doing to battle the disease, please sign up for our newsletter. You can sign up here: http://breasthealthandhealing.org/im-in/.

Seven Reasons To Test For A BRCA Mutation

By Dr. Kathleen Ruddy

Hereditary breast cancer is relatively uncommon, accounting for approximately 10% of all breast cancer in the United States. Of these women, most will have a mutation in a BRCA gene. Depending on the mutation (BRCA 1 or BRCA 2), the risk for breast cancer is substantially increased (up to 87% lifetime risk) compared to women in the general population (7% lifetime risk.) It is important to identify those women who should be tested for a BRCA mutation so they can be offered more aggressive surveillance and other risk-reduction strategies that can lower their risk of death. Given below are seven indications for testing an individual woman for a BRCA mutation.

1. Personal History of Breast Cancer Before Age 40

Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer before age 40 have an increased risk of carrying a BRCA mutation. BRCA mutations are associated with breast cancer at an early age, most commonly during the premenopausal years. Thus, young women diagnosed with breast cancer should be tested for a BRCA mutation.

2. Personal History of Breast Cancer Before Age 50 in Ashkenazi Jewish Women

Approximately 1% of Ashkenazi Jewish women (predominately from the Middle East and Middle Eastern descent) carry BRCA mutations. Therefore, these women should be tested for BRCA mutations if they are diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 50.

DID YOU KNOW?

The average cumulative risk for breast cancer in women who test positive for the BRCA 1 mutation is 65% by age 70; however, the risk can be as high as 87% if other risk factors are present that increase the risk further, such as multiple pregnancies.

3. Personal History of Early Breast Cancer and One Relative with Early Breast or Ovarian Cancer

BRCA mutations are also associated with an increased risk for ovarian cancer. A women who is diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 50 and who has at least one first-degree relative (mother or sister) with a history of breast or ovarian cancer before the age of 50 should also be tested for a BRCA mutation.

4. Personal and Multiple Family Histories of Breast or Ovarian Cancer at Any Age

A woman with a history of breast cancer who has two or more relatives on the same side of the family with breast or ovarian cancer should be tested for a BRCA mutation. Whereas BRCA mutations result in early onset breast and ovarian cancer in most cases, some families that carry BRCA mutations may have later onset disease. Thus, women with breast cancer who come from families with multiple members on one side who have been diagnosed with breast and/or ovarian cancer should be tested for a BRCA mutation.

5. Personal History of Ovarian Cancer

Any woman at any age, particularly if she is of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, who has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer should be tested for a BRCA mutation. Because women with ovarian cancer are often carriers of BRCA mutations, all such women should be tested so that they can be screened more closely for breast cancer.

6. All Men Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

Male breast cancer is very uncommon, accounting for about 1% of all breast cancer diagnosed in the United States. However, men with breast cancer have an increased chance of carrying a BRCA mutation and, thus, they should be tested because, if positive, they can pass the mutation to their offspring.

7. Relatives of Women and Men Who Carry a BRCA Mutation

Relatives of patients who test positive for a BRCA mutation should be offered genetic counseling to see if they are candidates for BRCA screening.

Most cases of breast cancer in the United States occur in postmenopausal women and are not hereditary. In the 10% of patients who have an hereditary form of breast cancer, most women are found to have a mutation in the BRCA gene. Such women typically come from families where there is a high incidence of breast or ovarian cancer, especially in if it is diagnosed in young women or women of Ashkenazi descent. Men with breast cancer also have an increased risk of carrying a BRCA mutation. Understanding who should be tested for a BRCA mutation allows for closer surveillance and other risk-reduction strategies that can lower the risk for death.

How to Prevent Breast Cancer in Your 70s, 80s, and Beyond

By Vera Viner

The older you are, the higher your risk of various cancers including breast cancer. If you are in your 70s or 80s, one of the most important parts to remaining healthy is to keep exercising as much as your body allows.

Remain Physically Active

Even if you are feeling fatigued or your legs are in pain, there are ways to keep moving. Talk to your doctor and possibly a physical therapist to develop the right exercise regime for you. If you do feel tired while exercising, make sure to take it slowly and not to overexert yourself.

According to US Health News, women in their 70s need to keep up their strength and flexibility. Walking is an important activity to incorporate as well as stretching, some strength training, and balance exercises. Keeping your balance sufficient is very important to preventing falls and hip injuries.

You don’t necessarily need rigorous workouts nor even a nearby gym. You can stretch and perform simple exercises while sitting on a chair. While using resistance bands, try lifting your arms or legs. Using small hand weights is also helpful. Aerobics can also be performed by marching or jogging in place. Before ending your exercises, remember to stretch your arms, back, legs, neck, and torso. You can also try walking for half an hour every day to improve your overall health.

Eat Healthy Foods

You must continue to consume a plant-based diet that includes whole grains and lean meats. Think of it this way: natural foods are best for you. This means eating eggs, poultry, fish, plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain pastas and breads. Try to stick to olive oil when using toppings and salad dressings. You are also free to use spices like turmeric, curry, or pepper. Try to eat a diet high in fiber and low in saturated fats and cholesterol. If cooking a meal is becoming more difficult, ask your children to cook one or two healthy meals a week for you.

Continue Cancer Screenings Based on Doctor’s Recommendations

Throughout your 70s and 80s, you will still need to undergo mammograms and other cancer screenings. Talk to your doctor and follow his or her prescription for these screenings. Write down and keep your appointments. If you are becoming more forgetful, ask your doctor to have a secretary call you a few hours before your appointment to remind you.

By following these tips, you’ll be much more likely to age gracefully and not suffer from various medical conditions and health concerns. These tips are still very important in preventing breast cancer, so please keep focusing on your health. Maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and keep your doctor’s appointments.

Breast Cancer Risk Factor Checklist

By Dr. Kathleen Ruddy

Risk factors you can’t change:

1) Getting older. Increasing age is a risk factor for breast cancer.

2) Being younger (less than 12 years old) when you first started your menstrual cycles.

3) Being older (over 55) when you complete menopause.

4) Being older (over 30) at the time of the birth of your first child.

5) Never having children.

6) A personal history of breast cancer.

7) A history of breast cancer in close relatives (mother, sisters, grandmothers.)

8) Possessing a genetic mutation associated with an increased risk for breast cancer (BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 mutation.)

9) A history of radiation therapy to the chest as a child or young adult. This increases the risk for breast cancer.

Risk factors you can change:

1) Breastfeeding. Never breastfeeding slightly increases your risk for breast cancer.

2) Using oral contraceptives, especially prior to your first full-term delivery. They increase the risk for breast cancer. The risk persists for ten years after you stop taking the pill.

3) Using combination hormone replacement therapy. These increase the risk for breast cancer, especially in women over the age of 60.

4) Drinking alcohol. Even 1/2 glass of wine per day increases the risk for breast cancer.

5) Being overweight increases the risk for breast cancer, and increases the risk of death from breast cancer.

6) Sedentary lifestyle. Women who do not get regular exercise have an increased risk for breast cancer. Those who exercise regularly have a decreased risk.

While the emphasis in cancer research has been on early diagnosis and better treatment with an eye to improving survival, at least 15 factors have been identified that increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer. Identifying your risk factors and making sure your primary care physicians are aware of them are important strategies to increase the likelihood of detecting breast cancer early and treating it appropriately. The risk factors can be divided into two groups: things you can change and things you cannot. Let’s look at them separately.

The majority of women who develop breast cancer have no identifiable risk factors. However, scientists have identified 15 factors that do increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer. It’s important that all women what, if any, risk factors they have and then inform their primary care physicians so that this information can be included in their medical record.

DID YOU KNOW?

In 2007 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that oral contraceptives were Group I carcinogens, known to cause cancer in humans. Unfortunately, the WHO does not have regulatory authority in the United States, and, therefore, cannot control what drug manufacturers include in their warnings to patients who use oral contraceptives.