What Are the Risk Factors for Breast Cancer ( III ) ?

Breast implants: Several studies have found that breast implants do not increase breast cancer risk although silicone breast implants can cause scar tissue to form in the breast. Implants make it harder to see breast tissue on standard mammograms, but additional x-ray pictures called implant displacement views can be used to more completely examine the breast tissue.

Not having children: Women who have had no children or who had their first child after age 30 have a slightly higher breast cancer risk. Having multiple pregnancies and becoming pregnant at an early age reduces breast cancer risk.

Oral contraceptive use: It is still not certain what part oral contraceptives (birth control pills) might play in breast cancer risk. Studies have suggested that women now using oral contraceptives have a slightly greater risk of breast cancer than women who have never used them. Women who stopped using oral contraceptives more than 10 years ago do not appear to have any increased breast cancer risk. When considering using oral contraceptives, women should discuss their other risk factors for breast cancer with their health care team.

Alcohol: Use of alcohol is clearly linked to an increased risk of developing breast cancer. The risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. Compared with nondrinkers, women who consume 1 alcoholic drink a day have a very small increase in risk, and those who have 2 to 5 drinks daily have about 1½ times the risk of women who drink no alcohol. Alcohol is also known to increase the risk of developing cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus. The American Cancer Society recommends limiting your consumption of alcohol.