At some stage in their life, one in every nine women will develop breast cancer. This means that for every nine women who live to be 85 in New Zealand, one will have developed breast cancer at some time.
The exact cause of breast cancer is unknown, but certain things can increase the chance of developing it.
These are called risk factors.
Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will definitely get cancer. Likewise, if you do not have any risk factors, it does not mean you can’t get breast cancer. Your risk can change based on your lifestyle, personal history or family history.
Risk factors you can’t change:
- Being a woman
- Ageing
- Family history and gene mutations
- Dense breast tissue
- Previous breast cancer or pre-cancerous breast conditions
- Race and ethnicity
- Hormonal history: Younger age at first menstruation, older age at menopause, having few or no pregnancies
Risk factors you can change:
Your weight: Women who are overweight or obese after menopause have a higher risk of developing breast cancer.
Your level of physical activity: Compared to women who are inactive, those who exercise for three to four hours a week can reduce their risk by 20% -30%.
Alcohol consumption: Alcohol is a known cause of many cancers. Drinking any amount of alcohol regularly, even low levels, can increase your risk of breast cancer. The level of cancer risk increases with the level of alcohol consumed.
Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy: Taking combined hormone replacement therapy, using both oestrogen and progestogen, has an increased breast cancer risk during use and for two to five years afterwards. The longer you use it for, the higher your risk. Oestrogen-only HRT (prescribed for women who no longer have a uterus) is associated with little or no change in breast cancer risk.
Know your risk
Understanding your own level of risk allows you to be appropriately checked for breast cancer. Breast screening programmes around the world are slowly moving towards a more personalised approach to breast cancer screening. The idea behind this strategy is to include other more accurate screening modalities (for example MRI or Contrast Enhanced Mammography) at greater frequency and sometimes at an earlier age for those at higher risk and potentially less frequently for those at lower risk.
Figuring out your breast cancer risk isn’t simple, so it is important to work with your doctor to understand it. There are a several risk assessment calculators available online, and whilst no tool is perfect, they can help start a conversation with your GP about your risk and best screening strategy. Visit the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ Risk Calculator page today https://www.breastnet.nz/risk-calculator.
From age 20-39: Know your family history. If you have a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer or if a first-degree relative (parent or sister) had breast cancer before 50, seek your doctor’s advice as you will likely need to start screening before the age 40 with a yearly mammogram and MRI.
From age 40-55: Annual screening with a mammogram is recommended for average risk women. If your breasts are dense or you are at higher risk, you will benefit from additional imaging (MRI, Contrast Enhanced Mammography, Ultrasound).
After 55: Women with an average risk can choose to move to two yearly or continue with annual screenings. Women at higher risk should continue with yearly screenings.
If you are 40 years or older and due for your next routine screening soon, contact Beyond Radiology Silverdale to book your next Mammogram.
Beyond Radiology Silverdale | silverdale@beyondradiology.co.nz | 09 975 3590