How a Woman's Health History Affects Breast Cancer Risk

This article may be useful for people born with ovaries and a uterus.

Some parts of a female’s health history can raise her risk of getting breast cancer. These factors are often things that cannot be changed, but you may want to know about your risks. Some things that raise your risk are:

• Your age. Your risk of getting breast cancer gets higher as you get older. Most cases are diagnosed after the age of 50.
• If you had your first menstrual period before age 12, and if you start menopause after the age of 55. This is thought to be because you had more years of exposure to hormones in your body.
• Genetic mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2.
• Having a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) or a few family members on one side of your family with breast cancer.
• If you had radiation to your chest before age 30.
• DES (diethylstilbestrol) exposure. DES was a medication used between 1940 to 1971 to prevent miscarriage. Both women who took the medication and the daughters of the women who took the medication are at higher risk of breast cancer.

Just because you have risk factors for breast cancer does not mean that you will get breast cancer.

Researchers have created a program called the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool. This tool looks at these factors and figures out your estimated risk of developing breast cancer in the next 5 years and in your lifetime. Learn more about the model or use the tool.

To learn about factors that could affect your cancer risk, use the Reduce My Risk tool. 

Talk with your provider about your health history or if you have questions about your breast cancer risk.