Why is breast cancer so common?

Reasons more people are diagnosed with breast cancer

Better breast cancer screening

The goal of breast cancer screening is to detect cancer early, when it’s easier to treat and possibly cure. These days, more women have access to breast cancer screening exams like mammograms, which is what we want.

Breast cancer is easier to treat when it is caught early. Women who put off getting their recommended annual mammograms may be delaying treatment for cancer we could’ve caught earlier. Once you notice a lump, nipple discharge, skin changes or other breast cancer symptoms, there’s a higher chance that the cancer has begun to spread.

And while breast cancer diagnoses may be increasing, more people are living longer due to early detection and treatment advances.

Hormone replacement therapy

Many women use hormone replacement therapy to help reduce symptoms of menopause. In the past, traditional therapies used a combination of the hormones estrogen and progesterone (in its synthetic form, progestin). These therapies increased the risk of hormone-driven breast cancer in post-menopausal women by as much as 25% and by as much as 20% in pre-menopausal women.

Breast cancer risk is not as high with newer hormone treatments, though. But breast cancer risk also depends on how long you use hormone replacement therapy, your family history of breast cancer and other risk factors.

Recently, we’ve seen an influx of hormone replacement therapy clinics that are not always supervised by a physician. They offer estrogen patches, oral progestin pills and testosterone pellets. The doses administered in these clinics are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and they have not been validated in studies to be safe to use in people at high risk for breast cancer. Using these hormones can increase your risk for breast and endometrial cancers and may aggravate other medical conditions.

I’ve treated breast cancer patients who were told that it was OK to take testosterone instead of estrogen. But that’s not true. I always explain that the testosterone you put in your body is eventually going to be converted into estrogen. So, even though hormone replacement therapy can offer health advantages to pre- and post-menopausal women, it can also increase your breast cancer risk, especially if you were already at higher risk for the disease.  And the longer you take these hormones, the higher your risk will be.

If you’re considering taking hormone replacement therapy, it’s important to see a doctor who specializes in this area so you can weigh the risks and benefits. You can also consider safer alternatives to treat menopause symptoms, such as non-hormonal medications and lifestyle changes.

RELATED: Does hormone replacement therapy increase cancer risk?

Aging

Your risk for breast cancer increases as you get older. Recently, we’ve seen an increase in breast cancer diagnoses among younger women, but most breast cancers are diagnosed after age 50.

The good news is that the older you are at the time of diagnosis, the less aggressive the breast cancer tends to be. However, if you are taking hormone replacement therapy, these hormones ‘feed’ the cancer cells and make the cancer more locally advanced.

Family history or personal history of breast cancer

Your chances of developing breast cancer are higher if your parent, sibling or child had breast cancer. A family history of breast cancer could be due to an inherited genetic mutation or exposure to environmental toxins or pollutants.

If you’ve had breast cancer before, you have a higher risk of developing breast cancer again. Compared to the general population, a woman who has had breast cancer in one breast is about 2 to 6 times more likely to develop a new cancer in the other breast or a different part of the same breast.

Lifestyle choices

Certain behaviors and lifestyle choices can increase your risk for breast cancer. 

Inactive lifestyle

More people are living sedentary lifestyles, which means they spend too much time sitting and not enough time being physically active. People who sit for extended periods of time with no physical activity are at risk for gaining weight and developing metabolic syndrome, diabetes and other medical conditions. Having a high body weight is linked to several cancers, including breast cancer.

You can take small steps to overcome a sedentary lifestyle. Start by taking a short break for every hour of sitting. You might stand and stretch, walk around the house or take your dog on a quick walk. Work your way up to more physical activity throughout the day. It’s recommended to get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week.

Drinking alcohol

Drinking alcohol increases your risk of breast cancer. For cancer prevention, it’s best not to drink alcohol. If you choose to drink, be aware of the risks, aim to drink less often and have fewer drinks.

Poor diet

Eating a nutrient-poor diet is linked to several health conditions, including high body weight and increased inflammation, which can increase a person’s risk for breast cancer. Instead, try to eat healthy meals. Aim to fill at least two-thirds of your plate with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Limit red meat and focus on lean protein like chicken, fish and beans. Avoid processed meats like bacon and deli meats.

Breast cancer screening saves lives

It’s important to keep up with annual mammograms and clinical breast exams to help detect breast cancer at an early stage. That’s when it’s easiest to treat. Screening enables us to detect subtle changes. A screening mammogram is the baseline, and these should begin at age 40 for women at average risk. If doctors find something, then you’ll get follow-up tests to help rule out or diagnose breast cancer.

Aside from screening exams, do your part as well. Practice awareness of your breasts and see your doctor right away if you notice any changes, like a new lump or mass.

Breast cancer is common, but it is treatable and often curable.

Giancarlo Moscol, M.D., is a breast medical oncologist who sees patients at MD Anderson The Woodlands.

Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or call 1-877-632-6789.