Welcome back to Twins4wellness, in this blog post we will share with you the unexpected causes of breast cancer that we discovered. After I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer one of my biggest questions was what caused me to get breast cancer at 39. I did a lot of research on what causes a person to get breast cancer. What I discovered was that there are numerous risk factors for people who can develop breast cancer. The following risk factors are 9 unexpected causes of breast cancer.

A combination of factors can contribute to a person’s risk of developing breast cancer. And sometimes the exact causes of developing breast cancer are not always clear.

Here are the 9 Most Unexpected Causes of Breast Cancer

1. Age

The risk of developing Breast Cancer increases as we age. Especially after a woman has gone through menopause. 

2. Gender

Breast Cancer is most common in women but may occur in men.

3. Family History

 Having a close family member with breast cancer increases your risk of developing breast cancer as well. 

4. Genetic Mutations

Some people will inherit gene mutations from their families that can increase their chances of getting breast cancer. These are called the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. 

5. Personal History

If a person has a previous history of Breast Cancer or certain non-cancerous breast conditions this may increase their chances of developing breast cancer.

6. Hormonal Factors

Prolonged exposure to estrogen and progesterone such as early menstruation, late menopause, or hormone replacement therapy may increase your chance of developing breast cancer. 

7. Reproductive Factors

Having children later in life or not at all can increase your chances of developing Breast Cancer. I had my son at 36 so I’m not sure if this increased my chances of breast cancer. This was an unexpected cause of Breast Cancer for me.

8. Lifestyle Factors

Excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and a high-fat diet can also lead to developing breast cancer. 

9. Radiation Exposure

Any previous exposure to radiation especially during childhood or adolescence can also increase a person’s odds of developing breast cancer. 

These 9 risk factors can increase a person’s chance of developing breast cancer. But it doesn’t mean a person with one or more of these risk factors will develop breast cancer; some people with breast cancer will have none of these factors.

The best way to catch breast cancer early is to do self-exams and regular screenings at your doctor’s office. I will be posting an article about performing a self-exam soon.