If the mother's cancer began before meno pause, her daughter's risk is somewhat higher. Having cancer in one breast means that the risk of getting cancer in the other breast is about four to five times higher than the average. About 15 percent of women treated for cancer in one breast are likely to get cancer in the other breast later on. Other risk factors include having the first menstrual period at an early age, having a late menopause, having the first child after the age of 30, and never having children. Recent research suggests that a person's diet may affect the chances of getting some types of cancer.
Breast cancer appears more likely to occur in women whose diet is high in fat.
Detection Scientists are trying to improve ways to find breast cancers when they are very small. For example, they are studying tumor markers, substances that may be present in abnormal amounts in the blood or urine of a person with breast cancer. Several of these markers have been studied, and the research is continuing. At this time, however, no blood or urine test is reliable enough to detect early breast cancer.