乳腺癌Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention

了解乳腺癌

如果您被诊断出患有乳腺癌，重要的是要了解一些可能发生的基础知识以及可能导致乳腺癌的原因。乳腺癌的确切原因尚不清楚，但是有些因素可能会增加您患乳腺癌的风险。

乳腺癌Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that may increase your chance of getting a disease. You can avoid some risk factors, like drinking alcohol, but others, like genetics, you can’t. Approximately 75% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no known risk factors.

High Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

• Gender:Nearly all breast cancer is diagnosed in women. Less than 1% of breast cancer cases develop in men.
• Age:Breast cancer risk increases with age.
• 家族史和遗传学：If a close relative (mother, sister) has had breast cancer, or if you carry certain genetic mutations (such as the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes), you have a higher chance of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer.
• Hormones and childbirth:Extended exposure to estrogen may increase your risk of breast cancer. This could be because you started your period earlier or entered menopause later. Also, if you have had your first child after age 30, never have had children or used hormone therapyaftermenopause, this may place you at a higher risk.
• Weight:更年期后超重或肥胖的妇女的风险更高。

Other Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

• Oral contraceptives:According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), oral contraceptives may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer.
• Dense breast tissue:Women with dense breasts are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
• Radiation:Young women who underwent radiation treatment to the chest may have a higher risk of developing breast cancer later in life.
• Poor diet and exercise:A diet high in saturated fats and/or sugar, and a lifetime of physical inactivity increases your risk of developing breast cancer.
• Alcohol:研究表明，喝酒会增加您患乳腺癌的风险。
• DES exposure:服用称为二乙基甲贝氏（DES）的药物以防止流产的妇女的风险更高。母亲在怀孕期间服用这种药物的妇女也有危险。

Risk Factors for Breast Cancer in Men

Although uncommon, men also develop breast cancer. Many of the risk factors for men are the same for women. However, the following factors may put men are at higher risk:

• 乳腺癌的家族史：About 1 out of 5 men with breast cancer have a close relative with the disease.
• Inherited gene mutations:Certain genetic mutations (such as BRCA2 and BRCA1) are linked to male breast cancer.
• Klinefelter syndrome:A chromosomal condition that results in higher level of estrogen.
• Liver disease:Severe liver disease affects hormone regulation, causing lower levels of androgens and higher levels of estrogen.
• Estrogen treatment:以前用来治疗前列腺癌的雌激素药物可能会稍微增加乳腺癌的风险。此外，服用雌激素的变性人/变性人可能会有更高的风险。

与乳腺癌没有已知联系的因素

• Caffeine
• Deodorant
• Microwaves
• Cell phones
• Contact with someone who has breast cancer

Reducing Your Risk

While you can’t prevent cancer, it is important to be proactive about your health. You can reduce your lifetime risk of developing breast cancer by:

• 遵循医生的健康筛查指南。这包括每年40岁的乳房X线照片，即平均风险的女性。较高风险的妇女可能会受益于补充筛查测试。
• 从您的医生那里获得风险评估。如果您的风险增加，则可能会服用药物。
• Talking with your doctor about your use of oral contraceptives or hormone therapy
• 保持健康的体重
• Eating fruits and vegetables
• Exercising regularly
• Stopping tobacco use
• Limiting your alcohol