A “risk factor” is anything that increases your risk of
developing breast cancer. Many of the most important risk
factors for breast cancer are beyond your control, such as age,
family history, and medical history. However, there are some
risk factors you can control, such as weight, physical activity,
and alcohol consumption. Be sure to talk with your doctor about
all of your possible risk factors for breast cancer. There may
be steps you can take to lower your risk of breast cancer, and
your doctor can help you come up with a plan. Your doctor also
needs to be aware of any other risk factors beyond your control,
so that he or she has an accurate understanding of your level of
breast cancer risk. This can influence recommendations about
breast cancer screening — what tests to have and when to start
having them. Risk factors you can control Weight. Being
overweight is associated with increased risk of breast cancer,
especially for women after menopause. Fat tissue is the body’s
main source of estrogen after m