Reducing Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

Second only to lung cancer breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women in the United States. Only with early detection and effective treatment will it be likely to reduce the number of women who die from breast cancer each year.

There are some factors that are known to decrease a womans risk for developing breast cancer. Among those factors are SERMs, prophylactic mastectomy, aromatase inhibitors, prophylactic oophorectomy, and exercise. It is not known if factors such as abortion, diet, environment, second hand smoke, smoking, or statins can increase a womans risk factors for breast cancer.

Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators, or SERMs are drugs acting similar to estrogen on some tissues in the body such as bones, while blocking estrogen effects on other tissues. Certain SERMs have been shown in studies to lower the risk for developing breast cancer for women at risk for developing this disease. Unfortunately there can be side affects with SERM drugs such as endometrial cancer, blood clots in veins and in the lungs, and stroke. A woman must discuss with her health care provider both benefits and risks of taking SERMs.

If there is a family history of breast cancer removal of both breasts, or prophylactic mastectomy, may reduce the risk of developing breast cancer for a woman. Careful consideration must be given before a woman makes a decision to have prophylactic mastectomy. It is important that breast cancer risk assessments and counseling are undergone before making such a decision. Women who have prophylactic mastectomy may develop anxieties and depression as well as concern about their body image.

Aromatase inhibitors decrease the bodys estrogen and can lower the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Most of a womans estrogen is made outside the ovaries from androgen (another hormone) in postmenopausal women. Aromatase inhibitors work by stopping the action of the enzyme aromatase which converts androgens into estrogens. Negative side effects from taking aromatase inhibitors include decreased bone density and effects on a persons brain function such as talking, memory, and learning.

Decreasing the amount of estrogen made by the body with the removal of both ovaries, or prophylactic oophorectomy may reduce a womans risk for developing breast cancer. Drugs may also be given to decrease the amount of estrogen produced by the ovaries. However, the sudden drop in estrogen may cause symptoms of menopause to occur such as hot flashes, trouble sleeping, anxiety, depression, vaginal dryness, loss of bone density or lack of interest in sex.

Hormone levels may reduce if a woman exercises four or more hours per week and can lower the risk for breast cancer. Exercise effectively reducing breast cancer risk is greater in younger women of low weight or normal weight. Exercise should be safe and the risk of injury to bones and muscles must be taken into consideration.

Abortion has not been shown to increase a womans risk of developing breast cancer. Studies have not yet proven a connection with abortion and breast cancer.

Studies are being conducted to discover if diet can be an influence for breast cancer risks. A beta-carotene rich diet, according to studies, may reduce the risk for breast cancer.

Environmental concerns have not been linked to breast cancer. Studies indicate environmental exposures such as chemicals, metals, dust, and pollution have not shown a risk increase for breast cancer.

Statins are cholesterol lowering drugs. Studies have not indicated that statins have any effect on risks for developing breast cancer.

It has been shown in studies that smoking does not contribute to a womans risk of breast cancer. Second hand smoke also the studies indicate does not affect the risk for breast cancer. There are many known factors that place women at risk for developing breast cancer. Women need to educate themselves as to what the risk factors for breast cancer are and what preventive actions may be taken in order to decrease the number of women who lose their lives to breast cancer each year.

For additional information about other cancer topics, please go to Womens Health Talk.

Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
There are many different risk factors for breast cancer. The most significant of these risks factors is gender and age. Most occurrences of breast can...

The Hazards Of Breast Cancer
Cancer can be defined as a disease that is characterized by uncontrolled cell division and the ability of these cells to invade other tissues, either ...

Breast Cancer - Myths
Myth: An individual will probably get breast cancer if her mother or grandmother had it.If an individual's mother or grandmother has had breast cancer...

How to Find Out Your Breast Cancer Risk Factor and How to Lower Your Risk
To mark breast cancer awareness month is the newly launched online breast cancer risk level calculator. You can simply enter information about your li...

What Are The Main Causes of Breast Cancer?
It is an incredibly difficult day in any woman's life if she is found positive for breast cancer. Her family, friends, and anyone else who knows will ...

How Can You Tell if You Have Breast Cancer?
There are some signs that may tell you if you have breast cancer. Breast cancer is formed when normal cells divide and multiple in uncontrollable fash...

Breast Cancer - Bizarre Myths About Breast Cancer Causes - Do Not Get Trapped
There is a lot of false believes and misinformation about how breast cancer develops. Especially among young women concerns are big. There are some st...

Why The Opposite Breast Should Be Evaluated With MRI?
Breast cancer is a worldwide problem with which causes 502,000 deaths per year worldwide. In the United States breast cancer is the most common form o...

Breast Cancer Research
The decline in mortality rates among breast cancer patients can be credited to breast cancer research. While advocates would argue that it is early de...

Breast Cancer Information - What You Should Know!
Breast cancer is known to be a disease that can affect women and sometimes men in rare cases. Most people are unaware of this disease and hence, unabl...

Alcohol Increases The Risk For The Most Frequent Kinds Of Breast Cancer
A new report from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden states that women who have been through menopause, who drink daily more than 250 ml beer, 100 ml ...

Breast Cancer Awareness Going Pink In October
Breast Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths for American women. This year, an estimated 180,000 Americans will be diagnosed wit...

Women’s Struggle With Breast Cancer
This disease is caused by an abnormal growth of cells. If someone in your family has breast cancer, there may be a chance that you will have it as wel...

Breast Cancer-Some Common Myths
Myth: Radiation therapy increases the chances of the breast cancer spreading.Radiation therapy is done with the intention of reducing the spread of th...

Hormone Replacement Therapy and Breast Cancer
Many women are hesitant to take hormone replacement because they fear that it will increase their chances of developing breast cancer. Up to this tim...

This entry was posted on Monday, June 30th, 2008 at 4:36 pm and is filed under Breast Cancer Treatment . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.