Check Your Risk for Breast Cancer

"I've noticed that most of the people that survive these situations are the people that take the time to feel them, to feel the pain of it, to feel the emotions, to work through it. Sometimes I look back at the times when I thought I was the weakest...and I was actually very strong." —Heidi Marble

All women are at risk for breast cancer, but age is a major factor in determining your risk, as shown in the following chart from the National Cancer Institute. Other factors that can influence your risk of breast cancer include your family history, reproductive history, and race and ethnicity.

What Are the Chances?

Your age	Your relative risk
30 to 39	1 in 233
40 to 49	1 in 69
50 to 59	1 in 38
60 to 69	1 in 27
In your lifetime	1 in 8

Are You at Risk?

Keep in mind that answering "yes" to any of the following risk factors simply means that you have a risk, not a certainty of developing breast cancer. For peace of mind, take charge of your health. For example, eat a healthy diet, exercise and perform monthly self-exams. Ask your healthcare provider for information about your risk factors and other preventative measures.

Breast Cancer Risk Factors	Yes	No
Are you 50 or older?
Are you tall?
Are you overweight?
Do you drink more than 1 alcoholic beverage daily?
Do you take birth control pills?
Did you start having periods before age 12?
Did you have your first child after age 35?
Did you have fewer than 2 children?
Did you go through menopause after age 55?
Do you take postmenopausal hormones?
Has anyone in your family had breast cancer?
Is your ethnic background Jewish?
Have you had chest radiation therapy?

Contact Us

Kearney Breast Center
200 NE Mother Joseph Place, Suite 420
Vancouver, WA 98665

360.514.6161 (Breast Center main number)
360.514.6164 (Nurse Navigator)
360.891.2642 (Radiologists)
360.213.9955 or 503.808.9803 (Southwest Medical Group Surgical Specialists)
360.989.3494 (Southwest Medical Group Plastic Surgery)

Published in Southwest Health, May/June 2009.