Just What is The Cause of Breast Cancer

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Just What is The Cause of Breast Cancer?

Although there are many factors that can cause breast cancer, changes in our  DNA can cause normal breast cells to become cancerous.  Our DNA structure is the map that determines what our genes are and how they function. This in turn determines the many factors of our being, including our health.  Our DNA is the the instruction manual for our body.

Many of the inherited characteristics of our DNA determine whether we have an increased likelihood of suffering from breast cancer and other related conditions.  Most breast cancer occurs when our DNA changes or mutates into cancerous cells.

We don’t know why these changes occur or what the precise cause of breast cancer is. However we do know that the reason for breast cancer occurs because of the existence of “‘acquired changes”.  We also do know that there are certain risk factors that contribute to the disease.

Different types of cancers will have different risk factors. Some risk factors are unique to certain types of cancers while others are common for all types.  Smoking cigarettes is a risk factor that appears common to all forms of cancer.  Some of the leading risk factors associated with breast cancer are as follows:

Gender: Women are much more likely to develop breast cancer than men.  Men can develop cancer but it is much more prevalent among women that men.

Age: The possibility of developing cancer increases with age.  In fact studies have shown that 2 out of 3 women who develop invasive breast cancer are age 55 or older.

Genetic: About 5 to 10% of women who develop breast cancer may have acquired it by inherited changes or mutations in certain genes found in their DNA.  The most common and typical forms of these acquired  changes are found in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.  Women who have changes in these genes can have up to an 80% chance of developing breast cancer.  There are other less prominent gene changes that seem to increase this risk factor also.

Family History: When there is a history of prior breast cancer in the family, there is an increased likelihood of acquiring the disease. The risk appears greater when a parent or grandparent  had breast cancer.   However it’s important to note that 70-80% of cases of breast cancer have no family history of the condition

Personal History: If you have previously suffered from Breast Cancer you will have an increased likelihood that it can re-occur.

These are some of the primary risk factors involved with developing breast. There is considerable on-going research in this field. It is hoped that in the near future scientist will have a firmer grasp on the causes of breast cancer and it’s treatment.

You should always consult with your doctor before initiating any medical treatment.

For additional information about the cause of breast cancer visit our previous post.