What are the risk factors?

Although not all risk factors are known, the most common ones are:

  • Age. Although it can appear at any age, the risk increases in women over 50.
  • Lifestyle. Not getting any exercise and not leading a healthy lifestyle can affect the risk of developing breast cancer.
  • Hormonal factors. Women who start menstruating early (before the age of 12) or who have a late menopause (after the age of 55) and women who have never been pregnant are at higher risk of developing breast cancer.
  • Family history. Women whose mother, sister or daughter has had breast cancer are at higher risk, especially in cases where the cancer has occurred before the menopause or has affected both breasts. In 10% of women with breast cancer, it is hereditary, and they tend to develop the disease at an early age. Genetic counselling is available at Instituto Oncológico Teknon.