Breast Evaluation and Treatment Program

Breast Cancer

Risk Factors

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The American Cancer Society estimates that 192,370 new cases of breast cancer will be reported in 2009. The majority of these cases, approximately 190,460, will be reported in women; however, an estimated 1,910 will also be reported in men. If a woman's sister, mother or another close relative has had breast cancer, the woman may have an increased risk of getting the disease herself.

Hereditary breast cancer makes up 5 to 10 percent of all breast cancer cases. The genes in cells carry the hereditary information that is received from a person's parents.

Several genes have been found to be defective in some breast cancer patients. Relatives of breast cancer patients who carry these defective genes may be more likely to develop breast or ovarian cancer. Some defective genes are more common in certain ethnic groups.

Tests are being developed to attempt to identify the genetic defect long before any cancer appears.

Some other risk factors include:

early onset of menstrual periods
late menopause
having a first child after age 30
never having children
having ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, or previous breast cancer

This page was last updated on: September 30, 2009.