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What are the risk factors for breast cancer?

A risk factor is anything that affects your chance of getting a disease, such as cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. For example, exposing skin to strong sunlight is a risk factor for skin cancer. Smoking is a risk factor for cancers of the lung, mouth, larynx (voice box), bladder, kidney, and several other organs. 

Some risk factors, like a person's age or race, can't be changed. Others are linked to cancer-causing factors in the environment. Some factors influence risk more than others, and your risk for breast cancer can change over time, due to factors such as aging or lifestyle. 

Lifestyle-related factors and breast cancer risk

Having children

Birth control

Hormone therapy after menopause

Breastfeeding

Drinking alcohol

Being overweight or obese

Physical activity

 To learn more, visit: http://www.cancer.org/