Causes of Breast Cancer

According to the statistics of the incidence of breast cancer, it can be stated that, unfortunately, this problem is only worsened from year to year. The percentage of people who contract cancer is growing, despite improved methods of prevention, diagnosis and therapy of the disease. The main problem is that the main causes of breast cancer, like other types of cancer, are not fully established, although the study of this problem is very active.

If you can only guess about the true causes of cancer, much more is known about the factors that increase the risk and promote the appearance of a malignant disease. This is our article.

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Theories of the appearance of breast cancer

There are several theories (hypotheses) that scientists are trying to explain the causes of breast cancer. These hypotheses are poorly understood, they do not have sufficient evidence, but they have a right to exist.

• Viral hypothesis - some scientists associate the formation of cancer with the result of an attack of a specific virus, which, alas, has not yet been detected.
• Genetic hypothesis - in certain cases, with the help of such a hypothesis, the appearance of the disease in several generations of relatives can be explained. However, this theory remains only an assumption, since the genetic code or the causative agent of breast cancer has not yet been isolated.
• The hypothesis that cancer can be caused by the vital activity of some species of helminths or chlamydia. This theory has less adherents, since malignant degeneration of cells can be observed in microorganisms, and in plants that initially can not contain either parasites or chlamydia.

Given that the causes of breast cancer are only at the stage of study, experts have identified a number of factors that increase the risk of malignant process and promote the regeneration of healthy cells.

Other Possible Causes of Breast Cancer

1. Smoking (25% of cases).
2. Inadequate nutrition (food carcinogens, lack of fiber, inadequate fluid intake, obesity).
3. Chronic exposure to toxins (work in hazardous production, accommodation near large industrial facilities or autobahns).
4. Abuse of alcoholic beverages.
5. Sedentary lifestyle.

If you carefully evaluate the causes of breast cancer and draw the appropriate conclusions, then in the future you can avoid such a serious and dangerous disease. Be healthy!

Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

1. Genetic predisposition: it is known that the next of kin on the female line, who have breast cancer in the family, also have a tendency to incidence. Isolated are even the kinds of genes supposedly responsible for the formation of malignant cells: these are the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. However, this factor continues to exist only in the category of theories, since experts recognized: the absence of these genes does not guarantee the impossibility of contracting breast cancer. In addition, among all patients with breast cancer, only 1% found these genes.
2. Recurrence of cancer: it is proved that in women who have already been treated with cancer tumors, the risk of getting sick again is more likely. For example, if the patient had cancer of the left gland, then there is a great danger that the process will form on the right.
3. Hormonal rearrangements in the female body: this factor is based on the fact that the mammary gland is a hormone-dependent organ. Therefore, its state, as well as the processes of division of breast cells can affect the level of hormones, which, as is known, is unstable. The hormonal balance changes at the onset of puberty, with the onset of menopause, during pregnancy, after childbirth. Therefore, during these periods should be particularly careful about their health, visit a doctor and take the necessary tests.
4. Diseases of the breast: there is absolutely reliable information that inflammatory and some other diseases of the breast increase the risk of cancer. Such diseases include mastopathy, fibroadenoma, etc.
5. Prolonged use of contraceptives (more than 8-10 years in a row), as well as in patients after 30 years old, who take such drugs for more than 3 years in a row.
6. Radiation irradiation: this is possible both in living in a place with an unfavorable radiation situation, and in conducting radiotherapy on other organs. The influence of frequent chest X-rays, or regular sunbathing on the beach or in the solarium (especially topless) is also not excluded.

The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age, usually if the woman is over 40 years old. At a young age, cancer is rarely found, but its course is more aggressive and difficult to treat.