Are You At Risk

Are You at Risk?

When it comes to women and breast cancer, the numbers are alarming: 12 percent, or one out of every eight women, will develop the disease. Certain risk factors increase the chances of developing the disease. But remember, even women with no apparent risk factors can have breast cancer.

Four Common Risk Factors for Breast Cancer:

Age – As women grow older, the risk increases. About two-thirds of invasive breast cancers are found in women age 55 or older.

Family History – Having a mother, daughter or sister with breast cancer doubles your risk.

Being Overweight – Carrying around too many pounds increases the risk of breast cancer, especially after menopause.

Use of Alcohol – The more you drink, the greater the risk. Just one drink a day increases the risk slightly. But women who have two to five drinks a day are 1.5 times more likely to have the disease than women who don’t drink..