Known and Possible Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

Some known or possible risk factors for breast cancer have been identified. They include:

• Being a woman
• Getting older
• Family history of breast cancer
• Benign breast problems
• Early exposure to ionizing radiation
• Having children late in life or not at all
• Longer exposure to estrogen and progesterone
• Being overweight
• Lack of exercise
• Drinking alcohol
• Eating fewer vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fiber
• Exposure to chemicals
• Never breast feeding
• Unknown factors?

If you'd like more information about risk factors, download the tip sheet, What Do We Know About Breast Cancer Risk PDF.

Note: To read PDF files, get the free Acrobat Reader.

Last Update 03.14.05

Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors
Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine
Vet Box 31, Ithaca, NY 14853-6401
Phone: 607.254.2893; Fax: 607.254.4730
Email: breastcancer@cornell.edu
We subscribe to the HONcode principles. Verify here.