On this day, we remember the fight of thousands of women in the world against breast cancer. Mauricio Leon Rivera, Surgical Oncologist of our clinic specialist in breasts, guides us on some risk factors that every woman should consider regarding this fearsome disease.

Knowing the risk factors to detect breast cancer early can save many lives. Here we mention the most important risks:

• The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age: more than 75% of cases are diagnosed in women over 50 years of age.
• Family history: women whose close blood relatives developed breast and/or ovarian cancer.
• Genetic mutations: the BRCA 1 and 2 genes are the most frequent cause of breast, multiplying the risk of cancer by up to 80%.
• Hormone therapy after menopause: used to reduce menopause symptoms and, in turn, increases the chances of cardiovascular diseases, embolisms, or apoplexies (stroke).
• Women who do not have children are at higher risk: and not breastfeeding increases even more such risk.
• Overweight and obesity: this is a high risk, especially for postmenopausal women.
• Other factors to consider are alcohol and tobacco consumption, late menarche, and early menopause.

Source: El Popular Newspaper