Does menopause bring with it the increased risk of breast cancer?  According to some women’s health information, menopause itself is not associated with an increase in breast cancer in women, but the rate of many cancers do increase as we get older, including breast cancer.  Also, there are some of the drugs used to manage menopausal symptoms that could increase or decrease a person’s risk of getting cancer.

Just because you may have many of the risk factors for cancer, or even though you may have none, there is no certainty that you will or will not be at risk of getting breast cancer.  These are factors that have been noted to be associated with breast cancer. 

• Age—this is the most important risk factor because the chances of developing cancer increase with age.  About 70% of the women diagnosed with breast cancer every year are over 50 and close to half are over 65. 
• Family history can play a part in risk also, particularly if someone in your immediate family had cancer at an early age.
• Having breast cancer in one side, it may develop in the other side.
• Starting menopause late, after age 55.
• Having the first child after age 30.
• Starting periods early, before age 12.
• Never having children.

Some of the things you can do to help prevent or have early detection of breast cancer are to limit the time on hormone therapy as evidence suggests that the longer a woman is on female hormones (patch, medications, etc.) the greater their risk of cancer.  Once a woman goes off of the hormone therapy her risk seems to reduce.  Be sure to get your screening mammography between the ages of 35 and 40.  

If you are over 40 get a mammogram yearly or every other year as recommended by your doctor.  Have a breast examination with your doctor as well as perform them at home yourself at least once a month.  And as always, be sure to exercise regularly, avoid excess weight gain and get the right amounts of vitamin D and folate in your diet.   Following these guidelines can help you live a healthier life overall and should decrease the risk of breast cancer. 

Sponsors