Understanding breast cancer – risk factors

WELCOME to part two of the Understanding Breast Cancer series. In this article we will dive deep into the risk factors associated with breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among Jamaican women, comprising one-third of all annual cancer diagnoses in our female population. On average, Jamaican women face a seven per cent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer, which translates to one in 15 women. The number of new cases of breast cancer is predicted to increase due to certain social, cultural, economic, and lifestyle changes that often accompany the transitioning of developing nations such as Jamaica.

A common question posed to oncologists by their patients with breast cancers is what caused them to have the disease? Many patients feel that there must be some direct identifiable trait, factor, or event which, by itself, resulted in their diagnosis.

There are many factors that may be associated with the development of breast cancer, but these are more correctly referred to as risk factors rather than direct causations. These risk factors can be classified as:

1) Genetic/hereditary