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• Age - the risk increases with age - 75% of all diagnosed cases of breast cancer are among women 50 years of age and older
• Genetic Factors - Genetic mutations on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes
• History of breast cancer in a first-degree relative (mother; sister; daughter)
• Personal history of breast cancer
• Race - white women are more likely to develop breast cancer, however, African American women have the highest rate of deaths due to the disease
• History of radiation exposure, particularly during puberty Menstruation before age 12 (due to longer period of increased hormone levels)
• Menopause after age 50 (due to longer period of increased hormone levels)
• Nulliparity or late parity - women who have never had children or had their first child after age 30 are at greater risk
• Birth control pills - there is a higher risk for up to 10 years after stopping oral contraceptives
• Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) - there may be a higher risk for women who use ERT longer than 10 years
• Alcohol - Women who consume 2-5 drinks per day have an increased risk
• Smoking
• Dietary intake of animal fat (especially red meat) and high-fat dairy foods
• Obesity - Especially in post-menopausal women who are not taking hormones
• Abnormal findings (atypical hyperplasia) on previous breast biopsy

Some factors that may protect women against breast cancer include:

• Breast feeding
• Early age at first birth
• Increasing parity (number of childbirths)
• Exercise - Research has suggested that life-long exercise may offer some protection against breast cancer
• Tamoxifen use has been shown to reduce the risk of estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer. However, the risk of certain side effects make the routine use of tamoxifen unfeasible.

Breast cancer also affects more than 1,000 men in the United States every year. Although routine screening is not recommended for men, most of the treatment options are the same as for women.