Breast Cancer is one of the most common types of Cancer worldwide. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with it during their lifetime. That sounds scary, but something essential to remember is that not all risk factors are within your control, and having a risk factor doesn’t mean you will get Cancer.
Researchers have discovered several factors that may increase the risk of Breast Cancer. It does not have a single cause. Breast Cancer typically results from a combination of internal factors within the body and external influences related to lifestyle or environment.
Understanding what causes Breast Cancer can help us take steps to lower our risk. This article walks you through the key factors that may lead to Breast Cancer, from genes and hormones to everyday habits and even surprising ones. Keep reading to find out what they are.
What causes Breast Cancer?
Breast Cancer occurs when breast cells start growing unusually. These cells divide more than they should and don’t die when they should. Over time, they can form a lump or mass.
It is still not very clear exactly what causes Breast Cancer in each person. Most of the time, it’s a mix of things working together. Some factors you can’t change, like your age or family history. Other factors are those you can control, like your lifestyle choices.
The following are the main factors that can lead to Breast Cancer:
Genetic factors
Your genes play a significant role in Breast Cancer risk. Reading this can make you want to know what gene causes Breast Cancer. The most common genes responsible for Breast Cancer are BRCA1 and BRCA2.
When these genes have changes (called mutations), your risk of Breast Cancer goes up. The National Cancer Institute found that about 55-72% of women with a BRCA1 mutation will develop Breast Cancer by age 70-80.
These gene changes can be passed down in families. This is why your risk is higher if your close relatives have or had Breast Cancer. But remember, most people with Breast Cancer don’t have these gene mutations.
Other genes can also increase your risk, but don’t raise it as much as BRCA1 and BRCA2.
Your best defense in your Breast Cancer battle:
Hormonal factors
Hormones are chemicals in your body that help control how cells grow. The female hormones Estrogen and Progesterone can impact Breast Cancer risk.
What causes hormonal Breast Cancer? Your body’s exposure to these hormones over your lifetime matters. Things that increase this exposure can raise your risk:
- Starting your periods early (before age 12).
- Going through Menopause late (after age 55).
- Never having children or having your first child after the age of 30.
- Taking Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for a long time.
It is important to note that about 80% of all Breast Cancers are Estrogen-positive. This makes it crucial to know what causes Estrogen-positive Breast Cancer. This type grows when Estrogen attaches to special parts of Cancer cells. Your risk increases with longer exposure to Estrogen throughout your life.
Age factors
Age is a potent risk factor for Breast Cancer. Most Breast Cancers are found in women over 50.
What causes Breast Cancer after Menopause? After Menopause, your body makes less Estrogen. But your fat tissue still makes some Estrogen. Women who have more fat tissue after Menopause may have higher Estrogen levels. This can increase Breast Cancer risk.
As you age, your cells may also accumulate more damage to their DNA, which can sometimes lead to Cancer.
Environmental and lifestyle risk factors
Some things in your environment might raise your Breast Cancer risk:
- Radiation exposure, especially during childhood or young adulthood
- Some workplace chemicals and pollutants
- Nightshift work over many years (possibly due to disrupted sleep patterns)
The link between these factors and Breast Cancer isn’t as strong as genetic or hormonal factors. But they may still play a role.
Additionally, your daily habits can affect your Breast Cancer risk:
- Drinking alcohol
- Being overweight
- Not being active
- Poor diet
Different types of Breast Cancer and their causes
Breast Cancer isn’t just one disease. There are several types, each with different causes.
Triple-negative Breast Cancer
This type doesn’t have receptors for Estrogen, Progesterone, or a protein called HER2. It makes up about 15% to 20% of all Breast Cancers.
The exact causes aren’t fully known. But it is known that:
- It’s more common in women under 40.
- It’s more common in Black and Hispanic women.
- It’s more common in women with a BRCA1 gene mutation.
This type grows and spreads faster than other types. However, it is also less likely to return if treated early.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
This rare type makes up only 1-5% of all Breast Cancers. It causes the breast to look red, swollen, and feel warm.
The exact causes aren’t clear. But some risk factors include:
- Being overweight
- Being younger when diagnosed (compared to other Breast Cancers)
- Being African American
This type grows quickly and can be hard to diagnose early.
Breast Cancer in men
Yes, men can get Breast Cancer, too, though it’s rare. About 1 in 100 Breast Cancers occur in men. But what causes Breast Cancer in men?
Risk factors for men include:
- Older age (usually diagnosed around age 65-70)
- High Estrogen levels (can happen with certain medical conditions)
- Family history of Breast Cancer
- BRCA gene mutations
- Klinefelter Syndrome (being born with XXY chromosomes instead of XY)
- Liver disease
- Radiation exposure to the chest
Men often get diagnosed later because they don’t expect to get Breast Cancer.
Unusual causes of Breast Cancer
Some less common factors might also play a role in Breast Cancer risk.
Collagen
You may have heard about a possible link between Collagen and Breast Cancer. Collagen, a protein, gives your skin, bones, and other tissues structure.
Well, collagen itself doesn’t cause Breast Cancer. However, changes in collagen around breast tumors may help Cancer cells spread.
The Journal of Translation Medicine published research in 2019 showing that specific patterns of collagen fibers might help Cancer cells move more easily. There’s no evidence that collagen supplements cause Breast Cancer. However, research in this area is still ongoing.
Supplements
There is some talk about the association between supplements and Breast Cancer. Thankfully, most supplements haven’t been linked to Breast Cancer. But some may affect your risk:
- High-dose Estrogen supplements might increase the risk.
- Some herbal supplements that act like Estrogen (like black cohosh or red clover) need more research.
- Very high doses of vitamin E might affect risk, but normal amounts are safe.
Always talk to your doctor before taking any supplements, especially if you have a history of Breast Cancer or are at high risk.
How to reduce Breast Cancer risk
Your daily habits or lifestyle choices matter. While you can’t prevent all Breast Cancers, you can take steps to lower your risk:
- Know your family history and talk to your doctor about genetic testing if needed.
- Get regular checkups.
- Stay physically active. Being active for at least 30 minutes most days can help.
- Eat a healthy diet with a good amount of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Limit alcohol to no more than one drink per day, if any.
- Do not smoke or quit if you do.
- Maintain a healthy weight, especially after Menopause.
- Consider the side effects and benefits of hormone therapy or birth control pills.
- Breastfeed if possible (this may provide some protection).
- Avoid unnecessary radiation exposure.
Making healthy choices doesn’t guarantee you won’t get Breast Cancer. But it can help lower your risk. Furthermore, having risk factors doesn’t mean you’ll definitely get Breast Cancer. And some people get Breast Cancer without any known risk factors.
Detecting Breast Cancer early
It is hard to prevent Breast Cancer. But you can take steps to find it early. Finding Breast Cancer early can make treatment easier. Regular screening and checkups are key.
Here are some things you can do:
- Mammograms: Mammograms are X-rays of the breast. They can help find tumors too small to feel.
- Self-exams: Check your breasts regularly for any changes, like lumps or pain.
- Clinical breast exams: Have a doctor check your breasts during regular checkups.
Conclusion
Breast Cancer has many possible causes. Some things we can control, like lifestyle choices. Others we can’t, like age and genes. What causes Breast Cancer varies from person to person.
Understanding these causes helps us make better health choices and helps doctors find better ways to prevent and treat Breast Cancer.
If you’re worried about Breast Cancer, talk to your doctor. They can help you understand your risk. They can also suggest screening tests that are right for you.
Surprisingly, most people who get Breast Cancer don’t have a family history of it. And having risk factors doesn’t mean you’ll definitely get Breast Cancer.
The most important things you can do are to know your body, report any changes to your doctor, and get recommended screenings. Early detection gives you the best chance for successful treatment.
Always talk to a healthcare professional about your specific situation. They can give advice depending on your health history and risk factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What stage of Breast Cancer causes fatigue?
Fatigue can happen at any stage of Breast Cancer, but it is most common during and after treatment, like chemotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy. The Cancer itself may cause fatigue by changing your body’s hormones and causing inflammation. Emotional stress and medicines can also make you feel very tired.
What breast implants are causing Cancer?
Textured breast implants, especially macro-textured or polyurethane-coated, carry a low risk of a rare Cancer called BIA-ALCL, which forms in the scar tissue around the implant. Smooth implants have a lower risk. If you have implants, watch for swelling or pain and consult your doctor regularly.
What can cause breast lumps other than Cancer?
Breast lumps can happen for many reasons, like cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs, or fibroadenomas, which are solid but not Cancerous lumps. Sometimes, lumps form from injuries, infections, or fat tissue changes. Hormone changes can also cause lumps. It’s good to see a doctor to check any lump you find.
How can early detection improve Breast Cancer outcomes?
Early detection finds Breast Cancer early, before it spreads. This allows simpler, less harsh treatment and boosts five-year survival rates to about 99%. Do monthly self-exams, regular mammograms, and doctor visits to catch it early, reducing treatment time, pain, and increasing your chances of living longer.
What are the latest advancements in Breast Cancer treatment?
Latest Breast Cancer treatments target Cancer precisely using medications like Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, CDK4/6 inhibitors, and Olaparib. Emerging options like light-activated therapy and CRISPR gene editing show promise. These approaches kill Cancer cells more effectively while sparing healthy tissue, and boosting survival rates.
What parasite causes Breast Cancer?
No parasite directly causes Breast Cancer, but some parasites like Toxocara canis can increase the growth and spread of breast tumors by changing the immune system’s response. This parasite’s secretions help tumors grow and spread more easily in the body.
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