Breast cancer may present in a variety of ways, yet our goal is to detect breast cancer before symptoms begin. In fact, most breast cancers are discovered when a woman has no symptoms. Nonetheless, up to 15% of woman will have breast cancer without a mass found on mammogram. Additionally, another 30% of woman may have a mass found between mammograms. Knowing the signs of breast cancer is an extra step you can step to help know if you at risk for this disease.
There are some women that are at the highest risk to develop breast cancer. These women tend to have a hereditary form of breast. The most common form of hereditary breast is that which involves the BRCA mutation. BRCA stand for the BReast CAncer gene. There are two BRCA mutations that have been identified. Theses gene are named BRCA 1 and BRCA 2. Women with the BRCA 1 or 2 gene mutation have a 50 – 87% risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. These women also have a 20 -45% chance of developing ovarian cancer in their lifetime.
There are a variety of factors that can cause someone to be at increased risk for breast cancer. Risks can be divided into factors we can change and others we cannot. Lifetime exposure to estrogen also plays a role in breast cancer risk. By familiarizing yourself with breast cancer risk, you are better able to understand lifestyle changes that can improve your chances of avoiding a breast cancer diagnosis.
The lifetime risk of developing breast cancer in the United States is about 12%. In other words, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer over the course of their lifetime. Breast cancer risk increases with age. Furthermore, the risk of breast cancer in each age group is expressed as a percentage over 10 years. Let’s take a look at this risk for each age group.
When your doctor tells you that your mammogram is “positive” or “abnormal,” negative emotions and thoughts may flood your mind. Yet, take a step back, know your mammogram score and become empowered to know the next steps. Let’s find out more about when you might need a biopsy.