Who is at risk?

All women above the age of 20 are at risk of developing breast cancer. There are a number of risk factors that have been identified.





Some of these factors include:

	Age – the risk of developing breast cancer does increase with age. In fact, 70 per cent of breast cancer cases occur in women aged 50 and above.
	Family history – women who have a mother, sister or daughter who developed breast cancer before the age of 50 are at a higher risk. This risk is further heightened if a woman has more than one immediate family member who has breast cancer.
	Previous history – women who have already been treated for cancer in one breast have an increased risk of developing cancer in the other.
	Early menstruation (before the age of 12) or late menopause (after the age of 50).
	Never having a full-term pregnancy or giving birth after the age of 30.
	Not having breast-fed.
	A diet high in fat and low in fibre.
	Obesity in post-menopausal years.
	Excessive alcohol consumption.