Identifying breast cancer causes can help health experts and doctors formulate methods for treating such condition. Basically, the cancer starts at the tissues of the breast and the type of breast cancer that one experiences is determined by exactly which part of the breast is affected. Having knowledge about possible breast cancer causes can help create awareness of what lifestyle choices or other health choices are to be made in order to prevent this condition.
Below are just some of the most common causes of this illness recognized to date.
Breast Cancer Cause # 1: Hereditary Factors
Although it has been known that only 5 to 10 percent of cancerous cells are inherited, several cases of women suffering from breast cancer have inherited them in the family.
A significant number of breast cancer patients (about 20 to 30 percent, with other statistical research reaching up to 50 percent) have reported that a close relative previously had the same disease or had any previous record in their family.
Therefore, health experts have opted not to neglect this factor in terms of analyzing this disease in the hopes of finding an effective cure. Genetic defects in either one of two breast cancer genes can be a culprit.
Breast Cancer Cause # 2: Genetic Mutations
As opposed to inherited genes, genetic mutations are recognized as one of the major causes of this disease. This one can be brought about by various environmental factors such as radiation exposure, which happens when a woman previously had a therapy or treatment.
Those women who have undergone any form of treatment that require their chest area to be exposed to radiation are more likely to develop breast cancer, even when the treatment took place at an earlier age. The risk increases for those who have had such treatment during their adolescent years.
Although it does not guarantee that you will be acquiring the disease if you had undergone such treatment requiring exposure to radiation, it does increase the possibility.
As of now, researchers are furthering their efforts to unlock the relationship between environmental factors and an individual's genetic make-up.
Breast Cancer Cause # 3: Age and Gender
Health experts have identified and proven that the risk of acquiring this illness increases as you age. Therefore, women over the age of 50 take up majority of the demographics for patients suffering from breast cancer. Moreover, those women over 50 who experience this disease suffer from advanced cases of the disease.
Gender could also play a role since women are 100 times more prone to having breast cancer as compared to men.
Breast Cancer Cause # 4: Exposure to DES (diethylstilbestrol)
Pregnant women used to be administered with a drug called DES since it has been known to reduce the possibility of miscarriage. However, recent studies revealed that this exposed the pregnant women and the child (especially daughters) in the womb to higher risk of developing breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Cause # 5: Use of Birth Control Pills
Women in their premenopausal stage who administer birth control pills are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. This kind of risk though is known to produce short-term effects and the risk is rather small. Since studies are still ongoing, it is best to consult your doctor before using any kind of birth control pills.
Breast Cancer Cause # 6: Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy
Several women undergo this therapy to relieve any menopausal symptoms. Since there are no other motivation for undergoing this treatment aside from relief from menopausal symptoms, it is best to consult your doctor on other methods of finding relief to reduce the risks as this is widely known as one of the causes for breast cancer.
Armed with this knowledge, you can now take precautionary steps to avoid the risks of contracting this serious condition.
