More Statistics and Some Risk Factors
In women younger than 45 years, black women are more susceptible to breast cancer than white women. Also, deaths from breast cancer are more common in black women than in white women. The risks of having breast cancer are low in Native-American women, Asian, and Spanish women. Ashkenazi Jewish women are more susceptible to breast cancer because of a higher risk of BRCA mutation.
The decrease in breast cancer incidence rates in the United States started in 2000. The incidence rate was high in the last two decades before 2000. The report shows it decreased by 7 percent between 2002 and 2003. Experts suggest the decrease occurred because women were no longer using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) [4]. Several studies showed that hormone replacement therapy could increase the risk of having breast cancer. Recently, the incidence rate has increased by 0.5 percent yearly.
If a close relative like a mother, daughter, or sister has been diagnosed with breast cancer, your chances of having the condition increase. Research shows that 15 percent of women with breast cancer have a close relative diagnosed with the condition.
Gene mutations transferred from parent to offspring account for 5-10% of breast cancer cases in the U.S. Alterations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are linked with the condition. Be linked to known gene mutations inherited from one’s mother or father. Mutations in the BRCA1 [5] and BRCA2 [6] genes are the most common.
According to studies, women who have BRCA1 mutations have as much as 72 percent lifetime risk of experiencing breast cancer. Women with BRCA2 have a risk of 69 percent. Younger women are more susceptible to breast cancer caused by mutation of both BRCA1 and BRCA2. Ovarian cancer can also lead to the mutation of these genes. Mutation of the BRCA2 gene is responsible for 6.8 percent of breast cancer in men. Breast cancer in men is rarely caused by mutation of the BRCA2 gene.
According to research, women with no family history of breast cancer account for more than 80 percent of breast cancer. These are mainly caused by gene alterations that occur as you age. Sex and age are the most common risk factors.