Avoiding Risk Factors

Although many of the known risk factors can be avoided, others like family history, cannot. Obviously, it’s very important for women to avoid known risk factors whenever possible.

It is also important to keep in mind that most women who have known risk factors never develop breast cancer. Also, most women with breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease. In fact, except for growing older, most women with breast cancer have no obvious risk factors.

If you think you may be at risk, you should discuss this concern with your provider. Your provider may be able to suggest ways to reduce your risk, and can work with you to develop an appropriate schedule of physical exams and, in some cases, mammograms.