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Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Who's Most at Risk for Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer screening has benefits, but it also carries risks. Every woman must decide on the balance of benefits and risks that is best for her as an individual. We've asked the experts at WebMD to help you make that decision.

The biggest risk factor for breast cancer is having had breast cancer before. Previous history of breast cancer means a three- to fourfold higher risk of a new cancer in another breast or another part of the same breast, which are considered to be different than a recurrence of previous breast cancer.

You are at moderately high risk of breast cancer if:
  • You're getting older. Your risk for breast cancer increases as you age.
  • You have a direct family history of breast cancer. Having a first-degree relative—mother, sister or daughter—who has or had breast cancer puts you at higher risk for the disease. Having one first-degree relative with breast cancer approximately doubles a woman's risk. Having two first-degree relatives increases her risk fivefold.
  • You carry a breast cancer gene mutation. Women with inherited alterations in breast cancer genes called BRCA1 or BRCA2 have up to an 80 percent lifetime risk of breast cancer.
  • You've had previous breast lesions. A previous breast biopsy result of atypical hyperplasia (lobular or ductal) increases a woman's breast cancer risk by four to five times.



As a reminder, always consult your doctor for medical advice and treatment before starting any program.

By Daniel DeNoon
Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD.

Sources: WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic: "Breast Cancer: Overview of Risks." WebMD Medical Reference: "Breast Cancer Detection." WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic: "Breast Cancer: Breast Self-Exam." National Cancer Institute: "Breast Cancer PDQ: Screening (health professional version)." WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic: "Breast Cancer: Doctor's Breast Exam." WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic: "Breast Cancer: Mammograms.” WebMD Medical News: "New Mammography Guidelines for Women." Qaseem, A. Annals of Internal Medicine; vol 146: pp 511-515. Armstrong, K. Annals of Internal Medicine; vol 146: pp 516-526. Elmore, J. Annals of Internal Medicine; vol 146: pp 529-532. WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic: "Breast Cancer: Breast MRI." WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic: "Breast Cancer: Breast Biopsy."  WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic: "Breast Cancer: Ductal Lavage." WebMD Feature: "What to Do After a Breast-Cancer Diagnosis." American Cancer Society web site. National Cancer Institute web site. Joan Arnim, manager, patient advocacy program, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston. Maruti, S. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, May 2008. Friedenreich, C. British Journal of Sports Medicine, May 2008. WebMD Health News: "Stay Fit, Avoid Breast Cancer?" WebMD Medical Reference: "Understanding Breast Cancer–Prevention." WebMD Feature: "3 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer."