Patients often come to the office with information about what can put them at risk for breast cancer – from wearing underwire bras, to using deodorants, or hearing that history of breast cancer on the male side does not put a woman at risk. I remind women to ignore the untrue myths and concentrate on what we know can be done to reduce your personal risk of breast cancer.

Non modifiable risk factors
The common myths about head lice include:
• Gender – women are more at risk than men; but men can get breast cancer • Age – risk does increase with age • Family history – on either side of your family tree • Genetic predisposition • Family history of ovarian cancer • Never having given birth or birth after age 30 – related to earlier and uninterrupted estrogen exposure • Early onset menstruation, late cessation of menopause • Dense breast tissue • Previous abnormal biopsy.
What have we learned about risk factors you can modify? Recent studies have confirmed that weight, diet, exercise, alcohol and smoking are potent influencers.

Modifiable risk factors

• Weight – we know obesity is a risk factor after menopause. A new study in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed women who were not overweight or obese at 18, but were at ages 35 and 50 have 1.4 times the risk of developing breast cancer compared to women (non hormone users) who maintained a stable weight. This was pronounced in women who had a late onset period and gained weight. Weight and accumulation of fat mass, reflects the accumulation of estrogen in the breast fat tissue and could initiate or potentially promote the growth of cancer cells

• Alcohol – a recent study highlighted that with increasing daily alcohol consumption, women were more at risk than non drinkers. As high as 30% in those consuming 3 or more glasses a day, but it was noted to be a 10% increase in those drinking one glass daily
• Exercise – many studies show that women who exercise decrease their risk
• Diet – a low fat, high fibre diet contributes to better weight management. Some studies show that a high fat diet can put you at increased risk. Some believe that the issue is the caloric intake, not specific-ally fat calories
• Hormone exposure – data concerning the birth control pill remains controversial. Some studies show increased risk, others not. We do not know that oral contraceptive use decreases the risk of ovarian cancer. Post menopausal hormone use can increase the risk of breast cancer which is why physicians encourage women to use the lowest dose for the shortest period of time to control intractable hot flashes.

Assess your modifiable factors.  H&L

Dr. Marla Shapiro, Assoc. Prof., University of Toronto, Dept. of Family & Community Medi-cine; CTV’s Medical Consultant on CanadaAM; Globe and Mail health columnist.