What are Average Risk and Higher Risk?
All women have some chance of developing breast cancer. The term ‘Average Risk’ includes all women. However, certain women are at higher risk. Women at higher risk may have one or several factors that further increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
Some women do not have any risk factors yet still develop breast cancer, and vice versa.
Some common risk factors for breast cancer include:
- Age
- Being female
- Late or no pregnancy
- Alcohol use
- Family history of breast cancer
- Physical inactivity (sedentary lifestyle)
- Previous personal history of breast cancer
- Having dense breasts
- Early menstrual period (before the age of 12)
- Late menopause (after the age of 55)
- Use of combination hormone therapy
In addition, some women may have certain factors that further increases the risk of developing breast cancer. These higher risk factors include:
- A BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation
- A CHEK2, PALB2, or ATM gene mutation
- A TP53 or PTEN gene mutation
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden syndrome, or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome
- Radiation therapy to the chest between the ages of 10 and 30
- Family history of breast cancer
- Individual history of breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
This chart from the CDC features a comprehensive screening guide that includes recommendations from several different organizations. Speak with your doctor about any questions or concerns that you may have.
