Am I at risk of getting breast cancer?

Certain risk factors increase your chance of developing breast cancer. Check on the following points to assess whether you can be at risk. This is very helpful for early diagnosis of breast cancer.
Family history of breast cancer
It is thought that up to 5% of all breast cancers are inherited owing to the presence of abnormal genes. These genes are passed on from mother to daughter, so having a first-degree relative (such as a sister or mother) with breast cancer will increase your chance of developing the disease.
Also, if a male relative (uncle, father) had prostate cancer, your chance of getting breast cancer will raise.
Cancer of the other breast also increases the likelihood of breast cancer in the remaining breast.
Hormonal risk factors
* Starting periods before the age of 11 years
* Later pregnancy — first full term pregnancy after 35 increases breast cancer risk
* Later menopause — after 53 increases risk
* Oral contraceptive pill: Oral contraceptive pill that contains oestrogen within the previous 10 years slightly increases the chance of developing breast cancer. The greater the oestrogen-content in the pill, the higher the risk of developing breast cancer.
* Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Taking HRT after the menopause seems to increase the risk of developing breast cancer, especially if it is continued for more than 10 years.
Lifestyle risk factors
Obesity: Obesity after the menopause increases the risk of breast cancer in women, whereas obesity before the menopause seems to reduce breast cancer risk. In post-menopausal women the body fat is the main source of oestrogen production; so obese women will have more oestrogen on board, thus increasing their breast cancer risk.
Diet: The research studies looking at the issue of diet and breast cancer show conflicting results. However, it is thought that a high intake of saturated animal fats and red meat (especially if overcooked) increases the risk of developing breast cancer, whereas diets high in fibre and vitamins (A, C and E), such as fresh fruits and vegetables, decrease the risk. It is also thought that fish and green tea reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Other risk factors
Previous benign breast biopsy: If your breast biopsy showed, certain microscopic features of a risk lesion, may be associated with a higher risk. For example, the risk is increased by 4-5 times if a condition known as atypical epithelial hyperplasia is found in the breast biopsy.
Environment: Research showed number of women from Eastern world affected with breast cancer, after moving to Western world is increasing.
The breast awareness 5-point code

1. Know what is normal for you
2. Know what changes to look and feel for
3. Look and feel
4. Report any changes to your breast specialist without delay
5. Attend routine breast screening if you are aged 40 or over

The writer is the Lead Breast Surgeon of United Hospital, Dhaka.