Many of these risk factors are fixed, but some can be modified. Because statistics can be confusing, each woman should work with her doctor to determine her personal risk for breast cancer. Instead, risk factors help identify women who may benefit most from screening. It is very important to remember that breast cancer can also occur in women who have no identifiable risk factors. Therefore, all women should follow their doctor's guidelines for breast cancer screening even if they have a low risk of breast cancer.
Some risk factors increase a woman's risk of breast cancer more than others.
It is also possible to have more than one risk factor for breast cancer. The important issue is to identify any of these factors so that you and your doctor can discuss how they affect your personal risk and the best screening program for you. The primary risk factor for breast cancer in most women is advancing age. Only 5 percent of breast cancers occur in women in their 30s and younger, whereas 10 percent occur in women in their 40s, and 85 percent occur in women 50 years of age and older. Doctors recommend augmented screening as women grow older to address this increased risk.