Risks and causes of breast cancer
Some of the things that can help to reduce the risk of breast cancer include:
keeping a healthy weight
a healthy diet
low amounts of alcohol
being physically active
breastfeeding
medicines such as aspirin or anti inflammatory drugs
surgery or hormone treatment if you are at high risk of developing breast cancer
having children
Research shows that keeping a healthy weight reduces the risk of 13 different types of cancer including breast cancer. Ways to keep a healthy weight include being physically active and eating a healthy, balanced diet.
Research also shows that cutting down the amount of alcohol you drink lowers your risk of developing breast cancer. There is no safe level of alcohol, so the more you cut down the more you can reduce your risk.
Find out more about the causes of cancer and what you can do to reduce your risk
Being physically active can reduce your risk of breast cancer as it can help you to keep a healthy weight. But it can also prevent breast cancer in ways not related to weight.
Activity can include anything that makes you a bit warmer and slightly out of breath and your heart beating faster. Here are some examples:
having a physically active job
recreational exercise, such as walking, cycling or playing sport
chores such as ironing, gardening and cleaning
The reduced risk is possibly because exercise lowers levels of , and in the body.
Breastfeeding lowers the risk of developing breast cancer, particularly if you have your children when you are younger. The longer you breastfeed the more the risk is reduced.
It is not completely clear why this is. But the reduced risk might be because the don't produce eggs so often during breastfeeding. Or it might be because breastfeeding changes the cells in the breast so they might be more resistant to changes that lead to cancer.
Research has shown that women who regularly take aspirin or other medicines have a slightly lower risk of developing breast cancer. There are trials in progress that will give us more information in the future.
Remember that aspirin can irritate the lining of your stomach and cause bleeding. So you should talk to your GP before starting to take it regularly.
You shouldn't take these medicines if you have any history of stomach ulcers.
Some people who have family members with breast cancer have a higher risk of developing it compared to the general population. There are medicines and surgical treatments that can help to reduce the risk of breast cancer for those at a higher risk.
Doctors may offer medicines to some moderate and high risk women to reduce the risk of breast cancer. These are:
tamoxifen for 5 years if you are pre menopausal
anastrozole for 5 years if you are post menopausal
raloxifene or tamoxifen for 5 years if you are post menopausal and you can’t take anastrozole
All these medicines have side effects and are not suitable for everyone. Speak to your doctor who can tell you whether these are suitable for you.
You do not need to take this medication if you have had surgery to reduce your risk of breast cancer.
Find out more about these medicines and the side effects
Surgery to remove both breasts may be a possible option for women at very high risk. This is known as a bilateral risk reducing mastectomy. Bilateral means both sides and mastectomy means removal of the breast.
It is important you meet a counsellor before you make a decision about having surgery. They will talk about your own personal risks and explain other options, for example screening for high risk women. Your surgeon and specialist nurse will tell you about the surgery. They will also talk about your feelings and any concerns you may have.
During the operation the surgeon removes as much breast tissue as possible but it’s not possible to remove it all. So, although surgery lowers your risk it does not go away completely.
You may be able to have during the surgery, or at a later date. This is surgery to make new breasts using tissue from elsewhere in your body or implants.
Find out more about breast reconstruction
Choosing to have risk reducing surgery can be a difficult time for you and your family, so it is important to ask questions. Your doctors and nurses will support you when making your decisions and throughout your treatment.
Speak to your doctor if you have family members with breast cancer and you think you might be at increased risk of developing it.
Whether you can have children or when you have them may not be something you can control.
Having children and in particular having a child at younger age can slightly lower your risk of developing breast cancer. The risk gets lower the more children you have.
Last reviewed: 30 Jun 2023
Next review due: 30 Jun 2026
Breast cancer is cancer that starts in the breast tissue. Find out about who gets breast cancer and where it starts.
Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump or thickening in the breast. Find out more about this and other possible symptoms and when you should see your GP.
You usually start by seeing your GP. Or you may have had changes picked up through breast screening. Find out about being referred to a breast clinic and the tests you might have.
Treatment for breast cancer depends on a number of factors. Find out about breast cancer treatments, where and how you have them, and how to cope with possible side effects.
Factors that increase the risk of breast cancer include getting older and inherited faulty genes. Read about these and other risk factors.
Find out about breast cancer, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, survival, and how to cope with the effects on your life and relationships.
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education
What to ask your doctor about clinical trials.
Meet and chat to other cancer people affected by cancer.
Questions about cancer? Call freephone 0808 800 40 40 from 9 to 5 - Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us.
