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Breast Cancer Causes

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Published: February 20, 2007

Many studies have been done in the last decade on breast cancer causes. However, the results are so minimal that doctors are still unsure as to what causes the cancer to develop. Breast cancer causes are not easy to point a finger at like lung cancer, which is most commonly caused by smoking. There is no one thing that doctors can say is the reason why one woman developed breast cancer while another did not.

There are a number of theories on breast cancer causes and it is suspected that a combination of environmental factors, lifestyle, and genetics increase a woman's risk for breast cancer. But in all likely hood, breast cancer is not caused by something that a person did or didn't do.  Most breast cancer causes are outside of a person's control.

What are breast cancer causes? Risk factors are the best way to understand breast cancer causes. Women are at the greatest risk of developing breast cancer, although male breast cancer is possible. According to a study from the American Society of Clinical Oncology, only 1% of breast cancer cases are male.

Breast cancer causes are thought to be determined by a woman's environment. Women residing in a socioeconomic country, meaning a developed country with social and economic benefits, are most at risk for developing breast cancer. Women raised in third world countries are at the lowest risk. Women residing in socioeconomic countries are five times more likely to get breast cancer than those in underdeveloped countries.

It is thought that breast cancer causes for woman in socioeconomic countries include dietary and social factors.  In North America and Western Europe, women have better health care , better food, and go through puberty at much earlier age. Also, they hold off on having children to pursue education. When they do have children, on average they only breast feed up to six months. All these factors combined are thought to be a main component in breast cancer causes.

According to Dr. Chan, author of “Breast Cancer: Real Questions, Real Answers,” women in undeveloped counties have a lower risk for developing breast cancer. Breast cancer causes for women in underdeveloped countries also include dietary and social factors. These women go through puberty later than in developed countries. They also become pregnant at younger ages, tend to have more children, and breast feed at least a year on average.

Lifestyle choices are also factors in breast cancer causes. There is a slightly higher risk for woman who eat a high-fat diet, are obese, and do not exercise. However, according The Foundation for Better Health Care, several studies have suggested that eating a diet high in fat may increase the risk of breast cancer, while other studies have not found that to be true. Still, a high-fat diet is known to greatly increase a woman's risk of cancers and heart disease, so it is a good idea to restrict the amount of fat in a diet.

Breast cancer causes are also thought to be genetic; however, most cancer is not. Only 10% of breast cancers are genetic. Many experts state that 80% or more of new breast cancer patients do not have anyone in their family who has also had breast cancer. This is why all women are recommended to get mammograms at the appropriate age.

Breast cancer stages are numbered from one to four. Stage I is the earliest, stage IV is the last. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, after diagnosis the five year survival rate for breast cancer stages I, the earliest stage is 98%. Stage II 88%, Stage IIIA, 56%, stage IIIB, 49%, and stage IV, 16%.

Breast cancer causes may be a combination of environmental factors, lifestyle, and genetics. Breast cancer causes can be all or even none of the risks discussed. The best thing a woman can do to limit the exposure to breast cancer causes is to eat a healthy diet and receive a moderate amount of exercise.  Women should also administer self breast exams and  receive yearly mammograms at the appropriate age. 


Sources:
"Breast Cancer." Foundation for Better Health. 1991-2001. 15 Feb. 2007  <http://www.fbhc.org/Patients/Modules/breastcan cer.cfm>.
"Breast Cancer Signs and Symptoms." National Breast Cancer Foundation. 1991-2007. National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. 7 Feb. 2007 <http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/signs_and_ symptoms/index.htm>.
Chan, Md, David. Breast Cancer: Real Questions, Real Answers. New York: Marlow & Company, 2006.
Davis, Jeanie L. "Male Breast Cancer Detected Later." WebMD. 6 June 2003. WebMD, Inc.15 Feb. 2007 <http:// www.webmd.com/content/article/66/79727.htm>.
Grobstein, M.d., Ph.D., Ruth H. The Breast Cancer Book. New Haven & London: Yale UP, 2005.
"Male Breast Cancer." National Cancer Institute. 28 June 2006. 15 Feb. 2007 <http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/treatment /malebreast/healthprofessional/>.
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