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Breast Cancer: Prevention, Genetics, Causes

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Prevention, Genetics, and Causes


Risk factors for breast cancer include older age, certain inherited genetic alterations, hormone therapy, having radiation therapy to the chest, drinking alcohol, and being obese. It may be possible to decrease the risk of breast cancer by getting exercise and maintaining a healthy weight. More information is available through the links on this page.

On this page:

Prevention

  • Breast Cancer Prevention (PDQ®)
    [ patient ] [ health professional ]
    Expert-reviewed information summary about factors that may increase the risk of developing breast cancer and about research aimed at the prevention of this disease.
  • The Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR): Questions and Answers
    STAR is a clinical trial designed to see how the drug raloxifene compares with the drug tamoxifen in reducing the incidence of breast cancer in postmenopausal women who are at an increased risk of developing the disease.
  • Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer
    A fact sheet that describes hormone therapy and its role in preventing and treating breast cancer. Includes information about possible side effects and drugs that can interfere with hormone therapy.
  • Preventive Mastectomy
    A fact sheet that describes preventive mastectomy, in what situations it may be considered, and options for breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

Clinical Trials

  • Find Clinical Trials to Prevent Breast Cancer
    Check for breast cancer prevention trials from NCI's list of cancer clinical trials now accepting patients. The list of clinical trials can be refined by location and other features.

Research Findings

Risk Assessment

Causes and Risk Factors

  • Breast Cancer Risk in American Women
    A fact sheet that provides statistics about a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer and information about breast cancer risk factors.
  • Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Cancer
    A fact sheet about the results of research on menopausal hormone therapy. Includes information about the effect of menopausal hormone therapy on the body. Also outlines the benefits and risks of using menopausal hormones.
  • Oral Contraceptives and Cancer Risk
    A fact sheet about research on the association of oral contraceptive use with risk of various cancers.
  • Abortion, Miscarriage, and Breast Cancer Risk
    A fact sheet that discusses research on abortion, miscarriage, and a woman's chances of developing breast cancer later in life.
  • Reproductive History and Breast Cancer Risk
    A fact sheet that describes what is known about the relationship between pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, and the risk of breast cancer. It also briefly describes what is known about reproductive history and the risk of other cancer types.
  • Early Reproductive Events and Breast Cancer
    Information about an NCI Workshop convened February 24-26, 2003, to provide an integrated scientific assessment of the association between reproductive events and the risk of breast cancer.
  • Antiperspirants/Deodorants and Breast Cancer
    A fact sheet describing studies on whether there is a link between underarm antiperspirants or deodorants and breast cancer.

Genetics

  • Genetics of Breast and Ovarian Cancer (PDQ®)
    [ health professional ]
    Expert-reviewed information summary about the genetics of breast and ovarian cancer, including information about specific genes and family cancer syndromes. The summary also contains information about interventions that may influence the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer in individuals who may be genetically susceptible to these diseases. Psychosocial issues associated with genetic testing are also discussed.
  • BRCA1 and BRCA2: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing
    A fact sheet about the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, how BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations (changes) affect a person's risk of cancer, genetic testing for cancer risk, interpreting test results, and the benefits and risks of genetic testing.
  • Cancer Genetics Services Directory
    Directory of professionals who provide services related to cancer genetic risk assessment, counseling, and testing.

Additional Resources