Awareness of breast cancer exceeds that of past generations. Women's health is now given great attention from head to toe with two pendulous stops in between. Reporting of breast cancer is more common. Our record keeping is better now than ever. Breasts are valued in the U.S., as symbols of motherhood and sensuality, so disease in them strikes a sensitive chord.
Some risk factors are age, family history, and personal history.
Older women are more likely to get cancer. Women with sisters or mothers with cancer are more prone to get it. Personal history of abnormal breast tissue or being of childbearing age at length without giving birth, brings greater risk. I am prone to speculate that the faster we run from biology, the harder it bites us. Some women today mature younger, postpone childbirth, finally have one highly prized child but skip breastfeeding, or omit childbearing altogether.