Some studies have even suggested that breastfeeding may reduce a women's risk of developing the disease. However, studies are still ongoing on this topic. A woman who breastfeeds her children can still get breast cancer. Only white women get breast cancer. African-American women have a higher mortality rate from breast cancer than white women.
Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer death for African-American women.
Knowing you have the BRCA1 gene means you can prevent breast cancer. About five percent of women in the United states who have breast cancer are thought to carry the mutant BRCA1 gene. Women who carry this gene have an 85 percent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. Researchers are now developing a screening test to allow these women to be identified. Once they are identified, they will need to be closely monitored by their doctors.