By age 35, a woman has 1 chance in 622 of developing breast cancer. Furthermore, breast cancer is not nearly so deadly as many women think. The death rate has been dropping lately, thanks largely to earlier detection and improved treatments. But don't think I am callous about this disease. It took three of my friends in their early 40s, and two of them left behind young children.
Women are very confused about the factors that can influence their risk of developing breast cancer.
Many worry unduly because there is breast cancer in their families. Only 10 percent to 15 percent of breast cancers are familial, and not all of those are hereditary. Common environmental factors might also play a role. Now that researchers know which genes are responsible for hereditary breast cancer, a woman who can afford genetic testing can find out if she is indeed at increased risk. As for the 85 percent of cases without a family history, there are several well-established risk factors, and some are amenable to adjustment.