Who gets breast cancer?
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American Cancer Society answered:Breast cancer risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have this disease.
Having one first-degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter) with breast cancer approximately doubles a woman's risk. Having two first-degree relatives increases her risk about five-fold.
Altogether, about 20% to 30% of women with breast cancer have a family member with this disease. This means that most (70% to 80%) women who get breast cancer do not have a family history of this disease. And certainly not all women with a family history get breast cancer.
Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulBreast cancer risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have this disease. Having one first-degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter) with breast cancer approximately doubles a woman's risk. Having two first-degree relatives... More -
Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:In 2009 in the United States, close to 250,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. They are women of all ages and all types; young women, older women, wives, mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, cousins, friends and loved ones. The types of breast cancers vary almost as much as the women who are diagnosed with them. Men can also develop breast cancer, though male breast cancer cases make up less than 1 percent of all cases in the United States.
Breast cancer can run in families but it is important to note that only about 10 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history.
In 2009 in the United States, close to 250,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. They are women of all ages and all types; young women, older women, wives, mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, cousins, friends and loved ones. The types of... More -
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answered:Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer death after lung cancer. The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2009 an estimated 192,370 new breast cancer cases were detected in women and 1,910 in men. Approximately 40,170 women and 440 men may die of the disease during that time. It is estimated that one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Early detection is the most effective way of surviving this disease. When found early, the chance of cure can exceed 90 percent.Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer death after lung cancer. The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2009 an estimated 192,370 new breast cancer cases... More -
Dr. Stuart Linder answered:Statistics in 2010, indicated approximately 1:7 to 1:8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. It is higher in women who have a strong family diathesis, and have increased family history of breast cancer. Having one first-degree relative will increase or double a woman's risk of breast cancer. In fact, having 2 first degree relatives, increased your risk by 5 times the average female. It is important that women do self-breast examinations monthly, and mammograms annually after the age of 40, or earlier with family history of breast cancer.Statistics in 2010, indicated approximately 1:7 to 1:8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. It is higher in women who have a strong family diathesis, and have increased family history of breast cancer. Having one... More -
Riverside Cancer Care Center answered:No one knows the exact causes of breast cancer. Doctors seldom know why one woman develops breast cancer and another doesn't.
Doctors do know that bumping, bruising, or touching the breast does not cause cancer. And breast cancer is not contagious. You can't catch it from another person.
Doctors also know that women with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop breast cancer. A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of getting a disease.
Some risk factors (such as drinking alcohol) can be avoided. But most risk factors (such as having a family history of breast cancer) can't be avoided.
Studies have found the following risk factors for breast cancer:
- Age: The chance of getting breast cancer increases as you get older. Most women are over 60 years old when they are diagnosed.
- Personal health history: Having breast cancer in one breast increases your risk of getting cancer in your other breast. Also, having certain types of abnormal breast cells (atypical hyperplasia, lobular carcinoma in situ [LCIS] or ductal carcinoma in situ [DCIS]) increases the risk of invasive breast cancer. These conditions are found with a breast biopsy.
- Family health history: Your risk of breast cancer is higher if your mother, father, sister, or daughter had breast cancer. The risk is even higher if your family member had breast cancer before age 50. Having other relatives (in either your mother's or father's family) with breast cancer or ovarian cancer may also increase your risk.
- Certain genome changes: Changes in certain genes, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, substantially increase the risk of breast cancer. Tests can sometimes show the presence of these rare, specific gene changes in families with many women who have had breast cancer, and health care providers may suggest ways to try to reduce the risk of breast cancer or to improve the detection of this disease in women who have these genetic changes.
No one knows the exact causes of breast cancer. Doctors seldom know why one woman develops breast cancer and another doesn't. Doctors do know that bumping, bruising, or touching the breast does not cause cancer. And breast cancer is not... More -
Breast cancer can affect everyone. It is much more common in women, but men may also get breast cancer. All races and ethnicities are known to get breast cancer. Non-Hispanic Caucasian women are more likely to get breast cancer, although African American women are more likely to die from it. All ages are known to get breast cancer, but incidence increases as women age.
Breast cancer can affect everyone. It is much more common in women, but men may also get breast cancer. All races and ethnicities are known to get breast cancer. Non-Hispanic Caucasian women are more likely to get breast cancer,... More
