| Many women all over the world fear breast | | | | If you have menopausal symptoms and you are |
| cancer. It is a killer! It is one of the leading causes | | | | taking estrogen with progesterone, that will |
| of death for women and even men are not | | | | increase your risk of developing breast cancer by |
| immune. | | | | a small percent. Taking birth control pills is another |
| Not that long ago a diagnosis of breast cancer | | | | factor in slightly increasing your risk of having this |
| would have been like receiving a death sentence! | | | | disease. Your risks will increase if you drink |
| That's because it was often fatal. However, things | | | | alcoholic beverages and smoke. Obesity may lead |
| are different today because of the amazing | | | | to breast cancer as well. You will increase your |
| advances in medical science in the area of breast | | | | risks if you seldom exercise. Those who have |
| cancer research. | | | | never breast fed their babies have an increased |
| For example, a lot more treatments are available | | | | risk too. |
| to you today than were available 20 years ago. | | | | Surprisingly, even men can suffer from breast |
| And many women are survivors of this dreaded | | | | cancer. And no one really knows who will be its |
| disease. | | | | next victim. |
| Do you know your personal risk factor for | | | | As you have seen in this article, there are some |
| developing breast cancer? | | | | risks that you have control over, while there are |
| It's obvious that just because you're a woman | | | | other risks over which you have no control. |
| you are more at risk than a man would be. As | | | | Here are some risks that you can control. Choose |
| you age, your risks increase. But you can't really | | | | healthy habits like regular exercise and watching |
| change that. Your genetic makeup is another risk | | | | your weight. Avoid alcoholic beverages as much |
| factor. If breast cancer claimed your mother, that | | | | as possible and don't smoke. |
| increases your risks as well. If you had another | | | | If your genetic background is a risk factor for |
| close family member who developed breast | | | | you, be sure to have regular mammograms and |
| cancer that also increases your risk of developing | | | | breast examinations by your doctor. You ought to |
| it yourself. The age that you had your first | | | | examine your own breasts every month too. |
| menstrual period also affects your risk factor. If | | | | Now that you know a little more about what your |
| you started menstruating before the age of 12, | | | | own personal risk factors for breast cancer are, |
| your risk increases. If you passed through | | | | you can choose healthy habits to protect yourself. |
| menopause after the age of 50, that also | | | | And don't forget to schedule regular examinations |
| increases your risk. | | | | by your doctor and examine your breasts |
| There is a test available now that you can take | | | | yourself once a month. Be sure to include a |
| to see if you carry a mutated gene related to | | | | yearly mammogram for your protection from |
| breast cancer. | | | | breast cancer. |