All women above 20 are at risk of developing breast cancer. There are a number of risk factors that have been identified.
Some of these factors include: | Age - the risk of developing breast cancer does increase with age. In fact, 70% of breast cancers occur in women aged 50 and above. |
| A family history of breast cancer - women who have a mother, sister or daughter who developed breast cancer before the age of 50 are at a higher risk. This risk is further heightened if a woman has more than one immediate family member who has breast cancer. |
| Previous history of breast cancer - women who have already been treated for cancer in one breast have an increased risk of developing cancer in the other breast. |
| Early menstruation (before age 12 ) or late menopause (after age 50). |
| Never having a full-term pregnancy or giving birth after age 30. |
| Not having breast-fed |
| High fat diet |
| Low fibre diet |
| Being obese in post-menopausal years |
| Excessive alcohol consumption source : MAKNA |
