Causes of Breast Cancer

Cell growth, division, and invasion are programmed by our genes. Cancer is started by faulty genes. You can inherit a faulty gene from your father or mother. Actually, even an inherited gene needs something in the environment to cause the final mutation needed to lead to breast cancer. So breast cancer, like other cancers are caused by a combination of abnormal genes and environmental factors.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

HRT is synthetic estrogen and/or progesterone (called progestin). It is designed to "replace" a woman's depleting hormone levels at menopause. HRT is commonly prescribed to relieve menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. The hormone replacement therapy is also used to help prevent osteoporosis.

HRT can cause breast cancer!

The possible link between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and breast cancer is the source of most of the controversy surrounding hormone use in menopausal women. HRT does carry with a sizable increase in breast cancer risk.

A review of preliminary data of the Women's Health Initiative study, the largest clinical trial ever undertaken in the United States showed a 26 percent increase in breast cancer in women receiving hormone replacement therapies with drugs compared with women receiving a placebo. In addition, instead of a heart benefit there was a 29 percent increase in heart attacks and a 22 percent increase in total cardiovascular disease among women receiving the synthetic hormones.

The medical establishment is becoming increasingly interested in this alternative medicine more than ever since ovarian and breast cancer as well as heart disease, blood clots and strokes risks are associated with conventional Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) treatment.

Breast Cancer Risk Factors All women are at risk for getting breast cancer. As you get older, your risk factor increases. Assuming you live to age 90, your risk of getting breast cancer over your lifetime is about 12%. Does that sound like a BIG risk? It might sound scary, because it means that an average of about one out of every 8 women will get breast cancer in the course of a 90-year life span. Or, you can look at it another way: A 12% risk means there's an 88% chance that you won't get breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Risk

Risk Factors What decreases Your Risk? • Family history of breast cancer • Smoking • Excessive weight • Prolonged estrogen exposure • Abnormal breast cell growth • Pregnancy after age 30 • Never having a full-term pregnancy • Heavy alcohol use • Early start of menstruation • Late menopause  • Eating a healthy diet • Quitting smoking • Losing extra weight • Regular exercise • Reducing alcohol use