Causes of breast cancer and risk factors

Breast cancer is a cancer with a high mortality rate in Indonesia. Based on the 2018 Global Cancer Observatory data released by the World Health Organization (WHO), the death rate from this disease is in second place, with 22,692 cases in Indonesia. Even though it looks scary, you can still prevent breast cancer by avoiding the causative factors, which can increase the risk of developing this disease.

So, what are the causes and risk factors for breast cancer? How can this breast cancer occur?

Various causes and risk factors for breast cancer

Breast cancer can occur due to uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells (cancer cells) in breast tissue. These cancer cells were originally normal cells. However, the mutation of DNA causes the change of cells to become cancer cells.

Cancer cells divide faster than normal cells, which then accumulate and form a dense lump or mass. Over time, these cancer cells spread or metastasize through your breasts to the lymph nodes, or even to other parts of the body.

In fact, the DNA mutation that causes the formation of breast cancer cells has no known exact cause. However, hormonal factors, environmental factors, and DNA mutations passed from the family are believed to play a role in the formation of these cancer cells.

Here are some factors that can trigger breast cancer:

1. Genetic

About 5-10 percent of breast cancer cases occur due to genetic factors. Women who have a mother or grandmother who has had breast cancer are at risk of up to two or three times higher risk of developing the same disease, compared with women who have no history.

This is related to the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes that have undergone mutations, which are then passed on by parents to the next generation. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes known as tumor suppressors, which control abnormal cell growth. Mutations in this gene will cause cancer cells to appear.

However, not all women with these risk factors will develop breast cancer. You can still prevent this disease by avoiding other breast cancer risk factors, such as adopting a healthy lifestyle.

2. Body hormones

Apart from genetics, body hormones can also cause breast cancer. Both women and men have sex hormones, namely estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

The National Cancer Institute said that women who have high levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone have a greater risk of developing breast cancer.

3. Environmental or radiation exposure

Environmental factors are also said to be the cause of breast cancer. One of the influencing environmental factors is radiation exposure, such as the use of X-rays and CT scans, which are medical examination procedures.

The Mayo Clinic says, this risk generally occurs when you get radiation examinations to the chest as a child or young adult. Consult with your doctor to understand the side effects of this radiation on you.

4. Unhealthy lifestyle

Another cause of breast cancer, namely an unhealthy lifestyle. This kind of lifestyle can cause changes in cells to become cancer cells, including in the breast. Here are some bad habits that can trigger and cause breast cancer:

Smoke

Smoking increases the risk of cancer, including breast cancer in young and premenopausal women. For those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, smoking can cause complications during the breast cancer treatment process, such as:

• Lung damage from radiation therapy.
• The difficulty of postoperative healing and breast reconstruction.
• A high risk of blood clots when you are on hormone therapy.

Lazy to move

Inadequate physical activity can be associated with changes in body mass index. Weight gain alone is often associated with breast cancer risk.

Unhealthy diet

Certain foods are known to trigger or increase the risk of breast cancer. Foods that cause breast cancer generally contain saturated fat, trans fat, high sugar, to contain preservatives or high sodium.

Alcohol is also included in the type of drink that can cause this disease, especially when consumed in excess.

An unhealthy diet can also lead to folic acid or vitamin B12 deficiency. The high intake of folic acid can reduce the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

Obesity or overweight

Lack of physical activity and unhealthy eating patterns can increase body mass index (BMI) or body mass index, causing obesity or overweight. Obesity is also said to be one of the causes of breast cancer, especially in elderly or postmenopausal women.

This can happen because being overweight can increase estrogen levels in postmenopausal women. The high levels of estrogen can cause the growth of cancer cells in the breast.

In addition, women who are overweight also tend to have higher insulin levels. This condition has also been linked to cancer, including breast cancer.

Supporting this fact, a study published in the journal BMJ Open reports, women who are overweight at the age of 20 to 60 have an increased risk of breast cancer by about 33 percent.

Other risk factors for breast cancer

Apart from the causes above, you also need to pay attention to several factors that can increase your risk of developing breast cancer. Some of these risk factors, namely:

1. Female gender

Although men can also get breast cancer, women generally need to be more vigilant because this is the main factor causing breast cancer.

The hormones estrogen and progesterone may be the cause of increased breast cancer cell growth in women than men.

2. Increasing age

Studies have found that a person is more at risk of developing breast cancer as they get older. Approximately 77 percent of women diagnosed with this disease each year are over 50 years of age. Nearly 50 percent of the other age is 65 years or even more.

3. Menstruation at a young age and slower menopause

Women who have had menstrual cycles earlier (under 12 years) or have had a later menopause (more than 55 years) are more at risk of developing breast cancer later in life.

These two factors can increase levels of the hormone estrogen in the body, which is one of the causes or triggers of breast cancer.

Apart from these two factors, high estrogen levels can also occur in women who have had their first pregnancy at an older age (gave birth at more than 30 years of age) or have never given birth. Conversely, childbirth is a factor that can reduce the risk of breast cancer.

4. Use of hormonal contraceptives

In addition to the factors above, the use of hormonal contraceptives can also increase levels of the hormone estrogen, which can increase the risk of causing breast cancer.

Based on a study in Denmark published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the use of hormonal contraceptives, both birth control pills and spiral birth control (IUD), can increase the risk of developing breast cancer. However, this increased risk depends on other factors, including age, general health condition, or having other breast cancer risk factors before using birth control, such as heredity or poor lifestyle.

Therefore, you should always consult with your doctor before using birth control, including to find out the best dosage for you.

5. Use of hormone therapy

Estrogen hormone therapy (often combined with progesterone) is commonly used to help relieve menopausal symptoms and help prevent osteoporosis. However, in fact, menopausal women who use combination hormone therapy are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

This increased risk is generally seen after about 4 years of use. In addition, the combination of hormone therapy also increases the likelihood of cancer being found at an advanced stage of breast cancer.

However, the risk of this cause of breast cancer can decline again within five years after therapy is stopped. Talk to your doctor about the side effects of this therapy if you want to use it.

6. Changes in hours of sleep at night

A study revealed that women who work night hours are more prone to breast cancer than those who don't.

Researchers assume this is caused by hormones, one of which is melatonin, which is disrupted by changes in hours of sleep at night. Low levels of the hormone melatonin are often found in patients with breast cancer.

In this regard, an analysis published in the BMJ points to the fact that women with good sleep habits, who like to wake up early, have a lower risk of developing breast cancer. Conversely, women who like to stay up late have a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

In addition, women who work as flight attendants are more vulnerable and have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health suspects that flight attendants are prone to sleep disorders related to work routines and certain exposures.

These exposures include cosmic ionizing radiation from a height, UV rays, cigarette smoke from other passengers and crew members, or unhealthy cabin air.

7. Use of hair dye

Research published in the International Journal of Cancer reveals the fact that hair dyes or dyes, especially the permanent type, can increase the risk of breast cancer. The content of permanent hair dye, namely aromatic amines, referred to as the cause of cancer, including in the breast.

Aromatic aminesare chemical byproducts commonly found in plastic products, industrial chemicals, and other products. These chemical compounds are divided into three categories and are most likely carcinogens to humans.

However, the facts on this matter still require further research to strengthen it.

8. Have dense breasts

Women with very dense breasts are estimated to be up to four to six times more likely to develop breast cancer than women with low breast density.

There is no definite reason why breast density can be associated with the risk of causing breast cancer. However, dense breast tissue generally makes it difficult for doctors and technicians to find potential breast cancer on a mammogram.

9. Large breast size

In addition to breast density, breast size is also said to be a contributing factor to breast cancer. It is not certain what the relationship between the two things is. However, experts claim that a woman's breast size is influenced by genes.

The genes that make breast size large also affect the growth of cancer, so that the disease can appear later in life.

In addition, women with excess body weight generally have large breast sizes. As for obesity or overweight can also increase the risk of breast cancer.

Myths about the causes of breast cancer and the facts

In addition to the causes and risk factors that are certain, there are several myths that are said to be the cause of breast cancer. Is this myth true and what are the facts? Here's the explanation for you:

1. Myth: Breast implants cause breast cancer

Installation of breast implants is said to be one of the triggers for breast cancer. However, this is not entirely true.

There are no studies that suggest breast implants are at risk of breast cancer. However, implant use has been shown to cause another type of cancer, namely anaplastic large cell lymphoma associated with breast implants (breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma/ BIA-ALCL).

2. Myth: The use of underwire bras causes breast cancer

Many women are anxious because wearing a bra with a wire is often cited as one of the causes of breast cancer. However, until now there has not been sufficiently strong research to prove this issue.

3. Myth: Deodorants cause breast cancer

Deodorants are said to contain aluminum and parabens which can be absorbed by the skin and enter the body. However, these two ingredients are not proven to cause breast cancer.

4. Myth: Mammography, ultrasound, and MRI cause breast cancer

Radiation exposure is said to be a cause of breast cancer. Therefore, there are myths or issues that say that mammography can trigger this disease.

However, in fact, the risk of exposure to radiation from mammography is very low, because it only uses a very small dose of radiation. The use of mammography is even more useful in helping diagnose breast cancer.

Then, you need to know, breast ultrasound is a procedure that uses sound waves, while MRI is a magnet, so both are not at risk of cancer.

5. Myth: Caffeine increases the risk of breast cancer

The effects of caffeine on breast cancer risk are still pros and cons. A Swedish study actually found that consuming caffeinated coffee can reduce the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

However, this is not an excuse to drink as much coffee as possible. For more details, ask your doctor how much you can consume caffeinated drinks, according to your condition.

Compared to drinking coffee, you better adopt a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of breast cancer. You also need to do early detection of breast cancer to avoid the development of a more serious disease.