Risk factors and screening for breast cancer

  The causes of breast cancer are still unknown. Epidemiological etiological studies of breast cancer have found that there are many risk factors associated with the development of breast cancer, including: 1. Family history: If a mother, sister, or daughter in the immediate family is a patient, then the chance of the disease in oneself increases 3-5 times.  2. Genetic factors: mutations in breast cancer susceptibility genes (BRCA-1, BRCA-2, etc.).  3, Reproductive factors: age of menarche earlier than 12 years old, age of menopause later than 55 years old, first full-term pregnancy older than 30 years old, not having children, etc.  4.Environmental factors: migration to countries with high incidence of breast cancer, long-term excessive alcohol consumption, long-term excessive intake of high animal fat diet, long-term estrogen replacement therapy, etc.  5. Other factors: postmenopausal obesity, history of atypical breast hyperplasia, etc.  How to be screened?  1. 18-39 years old: 1 self-breast examination per month and 1 clinical examination per 3 years. Women with high-risk factors should start breast cancer screening before the age of 40 with doctor’s guidance.  2. 40-49 years old: 1 clinical checkup and mammogram every year.  3.Over 50 years old: 1 clinical checkup and mammogram every year and 1 breast self-examination every month.