Date reviewed: 12/30/2003
Pregnancy and Breast Cancer RiskIntroduction Every woman’s hormone levels change throughout her life for a variety of reasons, and hormone changes can lead to changes in the breasts. Hormone changes that occur during pregnancy may influence a woman’s chances of developing breast cancer later in life. Research continues to help us understand reproductive events and breast cancer risk. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is currently funding research that may lead to discoveries that identify ways to mimic pregnancy’s protective effects and translate them into effective prevention strategies. Pregnancy-Related Factors that Protect Against Breast Cancer Some factors associated with pregnancy are known to reduce a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer later in life.
Pregnancy-Related Factors that Increase Breast Cancer Risk Some factors associated with pregnancy are known to increase a woman’s chances of developing breast cancer.
Other Breast Cancer Risk Factors Not Related to Pregnancy At present, other factors known to increase a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer include age (a woman’s chances of getting breast cancer increase as she gets older), a family history of breast cancer in a first degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter), an early age at first menstrual period (before age 12), a late age at menopause (after age 55), use of menopausal hormone replacement drugs, and certain breast conditions. Obesity is also a risk factor for breast cancer in postmenopausal women. More information about these and other breast cancer risk factors is found in NCI’s publication What You Need To Know About™ Breast Cancer. Misunderstandings About Breast Cancer Risk Factors There are a number of misconceptions about what can cause breast cancer. These include, but are not limited to, using deodorants or antiperspirants, wearing an underwire bra, having a miscarriage or induced abortion, or bumping or bruising breast tissue. Even though doctors can seldom explain why one person gets cancer and another does not, it is clear that none of these factors increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer. In addition, cancer is not contagious; no one can “catch” cancer from another person. Preventing Breast Cancer There are some things women can do to reduce their breast cancer risk. Because some studies suggest that the more alcoholic beverages a woman drinks the greater her risk of breast cancer, it is important to limit alcohol intake. Maintaining a healthy body weight is important because being overweight increases risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. New evidence suggests that being physically active may also reduce risk. Physical activity that is sustained throughout lifetime or, at a minimum, performed after menopause, may be particularly beneficial in reducing breast cancer risk. Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, and energy and fat intake balanced to energy expended in exercise are useful approaches to avoiding weight gain in adult life. Detecting Breast Cancer A woman can be an active participant in improving her chances for early detection of breast cancer.
NCI recommends that, beginning in their 40s, women have a mammogram every year or two. Women who have a
higher than average risk of breast cancer (for example, women with a family history of breast cancer)
should seek expert medical advice about whether they should be screened before age 40, and how frequently
they should be screened.
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