Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. It is a condition in which cells in the breasts grow uncontrollably and form tumors. The main causes behind this disease, which is completely curable if detected early, are:
Age & Gender: Women are 99 percent more likely to develop breast cancer than men. The risk of this disease increases with age, especially in those over 40 to 50 years of age.
Heredity and Genetics: If a mother, sister, or daughter in the family has a history of breast cancer, the next generation is twice as likely to develop the disease. The main reason for this is mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in our body.
Hormonal changes: High levels of the hormone ‘Estrogen’ in the body can cause excessive growth of cells. Starting menstruation before the age of 12, having menopause after the age of 55, getting pregnant late, and not breastfeeding are risk factors.
Unhealthy lifestyle and obesity: Excessive weight gain after menopause can increase estrogen levels. In addition, lack of exercise, excessive consumption of fatty fast foods, smoking, and alcohol consumption also contribute to the growth of cancer cells.
Radiation exposure and certain medications: Those who have previously received high doses of radiation to the chest as part of other medical treatments, and those who take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) pills for a long time without proper supervision by a doctor, are at higher risk of breast cancer.