Research has found that a combination of risk factors can increase your chances of developing breast cancer. However, just because you are at risk does not guarantee that you will have breast cancer. Here are common risk factors for breast cancer that you should be aware of.

Age  
If you are older than 50 years, then your chances of developing breast cancer are higher compared to younger people. As you age, there’s a high risk of developing breast cancer.

Personal history of breast cancer
Having a history of breast cancer or having some types of non-cancerous breast conditions such as lobular carcinoma is one of the common risk factors for breast cancer.

Family history of breast cancer
If your first-degree relative such as your sister or mother who had breast cancer in the past, there is a high risk of breast cancer. If you have someone on your father’s or mother’s side who had breast cancer, then you have a higher risk.

Genetic mutations
Studies have shown that some genetic mutations that are inherited, such as the BRCA2 and BRCA1 genes can increase the risk of breast cancer.

Gender
Being a woman is one of the common risk factors for breast cancer. As women experience changes in their breast cells, women are more likely to develop this type of cancer. 

Overweight
If you are overweight or obese, then your chance of developing breast cancer is much higher. Being overweight or obese after menopause is also one of the many risk factors of breast cancer.  

DES exposure
Some women were given a medicine known as diethylstilbestrol or DES to prevent miscarriages during the 1940s up to 1971. If your mother took DES when she was pregnant, then the chances of breast cancer are higher.

Alcohol consumption
Consuming alcohol is one of the common risk factors for breast cancer that you can control. The more you drink, the higher your chances of having breast cancer.

Past treatment  
If you had radiation therapy done to your breasts or to your chests before turning 30 years old, you are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer.  

Reproductive history
Your reproductive history can be one of the common risk factors for breast cancer. If you have started periods before 12, have menopause after 55, you got pregnant for the first time after 30, or you did not breastfeed, then you are at a higher risk of breast cancer.

Lack of physical activity
If you do not exercise much or sit more than you move in a day, you are more likely to get breast cancer.

Dense breasts  
There is more connective tissue compared to fatty tissue in dense breasts. If you have dense breasts, then you are at a higher risk of breast cancer than someone who doesn’t have dense breasts.

Being tall
Studies have shown that women who are taller than average women are more likely to have breast cancer. This can mostly be due to genetic factors or early growth factors.