Marshall University

Department of Family and Community Health

Risk Factors

Phone: 304-691-1100

Fax: 304-691-1134

¨ Being a women puts you at risk for breast cancer, however, men can also develop breast cancer.

¨ Age- A woman’s risk increases as she gets older but breast cancer can occur at any age.

¨ Having a first degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) with breast cancer increases your risk.

¨ Using hormones. The use of certain types of hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives (“the pill”) both increase risk of breast cancer.

¨ Obesity. Being overweight, especially after menopause, is a risk factor.

¨ Starting your period before age 12 years or going through menopause (“the change of life”) later than age 55 years.

¨ Drinking more than one drink of alcohol per day

To contact us: