Breast Cancer Facts: Risk Factors

While any woman is at risk of developing breast cancer, some women are with more risk factors than others. There are certain things that may increase your risk of breast cancer. Some of these risk factors are proven, and others are uncertain.

  • Previous Breast Cancer: If you have had breast cancer before, you are at a higher risk of developing it again. About 10%-15% of women who have had breast cancer will develop breast cancer again within 20 years.
  • Family History of Breast Cancer: If you have a mother, sister or daughter who has had breast cancer, you may be two to four times more likely to develop breast cancer. The risk is higher if the relative had breast cancer before menopause or had cancer in both breasts, and if breast cancer has occurred in several generations.
  • Genetic Factors: BRCA1 and BRCA2 Genes: These genes, called tumor suppressor genes , help regulate cell growth. If you have mutations (changes) in these genes, you may be at an increased risk of breast cancer. An estimated 5%-10% of breast cancer cases are caused by these gene mutations.
  • Age: Your risk of breast cancer increases with age. Approximately 80% of breast cancer cases occur in women older than age 50.
  • Reproductive History: If you have never been pregnant or never had a baby, you may have an increased risk of breast cancer. If you had your first baby after age 30, you may be at an increased risk of breast cancer. In addition, if you had your first menstrual period before age 12, or if you developed menopause late, you may have an increased risk of breast cancer.
  • Benign Breast Conditions: Certain benign breast conditions may increase your risk of breast cancer, especially a condition called hyperplasia . Hyperplasia causes an overproduction of breast cells. If these extra cells are abnormal, the risk increases even more, especially if you have a family history of breast cancer.

  • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Some studies have shown that receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for a long time may increase the risk of breast cancer. If you receive HRT, you should discuss the benefits and potential risks with your doctor.
  • Lifestyle and Environmental Factors: Researchers continuously study lifestyle and environmental factors that may increase the risk of breast cancer, including smoking, eating a diet high in fat and low in fiber, and being exposed to environmental pollutants. More studies are needed to determine if such factors do increase the risk of breast cancer; however, it is always recommended that you try and maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes not smoking, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly.

Reducing Your Risk of Breast Cancer

There is no proven way to prevent breast cancer. However, there are things you may be able to do to reduce your risk of breast cancer. While lifestyle changes have not been proven to reduce the risk of breast cancer, some studies have shown that maintaining a healthy body weight and being physically active may help reduce your risk of breast cancer.

Women at high risk of breast cancer also may consider a treatment called chemoprevention . This involves taking an antiestrogen drug to help prevent new breast tumors from forming. This drug does have side effects so it is important to talk to your doctor about the benefits and potential risks of chemoprevention.

Since there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer, it is important to get regular screening to try and catch breast cancer early. Learn more about early detection on our Breast Cancer Facts: Screening And Early Detection page.



IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: Taxotere® treatment can cause serious, physically limiting, and potentially life-threatening side effects, such as infection, low blood-cell counts, allergic reaction, and retention of excess fluid (edema).

Taxotere® should not be given to patients with low white–blood-cell counts, abnormal liver function, or a history of allergic reactions to Taxotere® or any of the ingredients in Taxotere®.

Before each Taxotere® treatment, all patients treated with Taxotere® must receive another medicine called dexamethasone. This drug can help reduce the risk of fluid retention (edema) and allergic reactions.

Taxotere® should be administered only under the supervision of a qualified physician experienced in the use of anticancer treatments. Appropriate management of complications is possible only when adequate diagnostic and treatment facilities are readily available.

Treatment-related acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplasia has occurred in patients given anthracyclines and/or cyclophosphamide, including use with Taxotere® in adjuvant therapy for breast cancer.

The most common severe side effects are low white–blood-cell count, anemia, fatigue, diarrhea, and mouth and throat irritation. Low white–blood-cell count can lead to life-threatening infections. The earliest sign of infection may be fever, so tell your doctor right away if you have a fever.

Other common side effects from Taxotere® include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, rash, infusion-site reactions, odd sensations (such as numbness, tingling, or burning) or weakness in the hands and feet, nail changes, muscle and/or bone pain, or excessive tearing.

Because of the potential risk of fetal harm, pregnant women should not receive Taxotere®. Women of childbearing potential should avoid becoming pregnant during treatment with Taxotere®.

Before receiving Taxotere®, tell your doctor if

  • You have any allergies
  • You are taking any other medicines — including nonprescription (over-the-counter) drugs, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements

When taking Taxotere®, contact your doctor if

  • You have symptoms of an allergic reaction (warm sensation, tightness in your chest, itching/hives, or shortness of breath)
  • You experience any other side effects

Please see accompanying full prescribing information, including boxed WARNING.

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Taxotere® (docetaxel) Injection Concentrate Indications

Breast Cancer
TAXOTERE® is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy
TAXOTERE® in combination with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with operable node-positive breast cancer

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
TAXOTERE®, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after failure of prior platinum-based chemotherapy
TAXOTERE® in combination with cisplatin is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who have not previously received chemotherapy for this condition.

Prostate Cancer
TAXOTERE® in combination with prednisone is indicated for the treatment of patients with androgen independent (hormone refractory) metastatic prostate cancer.

Gastric Cancer
TAXOTERE® in combination with cisplatin and fluorouracil is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma, including adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction, who have not received prior chemotherapy for advanced disease.

Head and Neck Cancer
TAXOTERE® in combination with cisplatin and fluorouracil is indicated for the induction treatment of patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).