Breast Cancer Health Center

Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

What Are the Risk Factors for Breast Cancer? continued...

Low risk

• Pregnancy before age 18
• Early onset of menopause
• Surgical removal of the ovaries before age 37

Factors not related to breast cancer

• Fibrocystic breast changes
• Multiple pregnancies
• Coffee or caffeine intake
• Use of anti-perspirants
• Wearing underwire bras
• Having an abortion or miscarriage
• Using breast implants

Scientists are still investigating whether smoking, high-fat diets, lack of exercise, and environmental pollution increase breast cancer risk. Some studies have suggested that women who are using birth control pills have a very slight increased risk of developing breast cancer. That risk disappears after stopping them for 10 years or more. Still other studies show no relation. More research is under way to confirm these findings.

Women who breastfeed have a reduced risk of breast cancer.