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Breast Cancer Risk Factors

Some of the factors associated with breast cancer — being a woman, your age, and your genetics, for example — can't be changed. Other factors — lack of exercise, smoking cigarettes, and eating certain foods — can be changed by making choices.

Everyone wants to know what they can do to lower their risk of breast cancer. Some of the factors associated with breast cancer — being a woman, your age, and your genetics, for example — can't be changed. Other factors — being overweight, lack of exercise, smoking cigarettes, and eating unhealthy food — can be changed by making choices. By choosing the healthiest lifestyle options possible, you can empower yourself and make sure your breast cancer risk is as low as possible.

The known risk factors for breast cancer are listed below. Click on each link to learn more about the risk factor and ways you can minimize it in your own life. If a factor can't be changed (such as your genetics), you can learn about protective steps you can take that can help keep your risk as low as possible.

Known risks
 
Age
Emerging risks
 

Common Fears With No Evidence: Antiperspirants and Bras

In media stories and on Internet postings, some factors have been widely rumored to increase breast cancer risk. For example, right now, there is no evidence to back the claims that antiperspirants, underwire bras, and wearing a bra at night are causes of breast cancer.

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— Last updated on July 19, 2022, 4:44 PM

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