Researchers have found certain risk factors that seem to increase a women's chance of getting breast cancer. The primary risk factors for breast cancer are age and family history. Other possible risk factors include a woman having her first child after age 30 or no children at all, starting to menstruate at an early age, late onset of menopause, obesity, heavy use of alcohol, and the benign breast condition called atypical hyperplasia.
Women obviously have no control over several of the risk factors listed above.
A woman can make lifestyle changes concerning diet and alcohol consumption. Because women are unable to prevent breast cancer at this time, it is important that they perform monthly self breast exams, and speak to their doctor about an appropriate schedule for clinical breast exams and mammography. However, there was an increased risk of uterine cancer and blood clots associated with the tamoxifen. Women who are at increased risk of breast cancer now have the option to consider taking tamoxifen to reduce their chances of developing breast cancer. As with any medical procedure or intervention, the decision to take tamoxifen is an individual one in which the benefits and risks of the therapy must be considered.