Modern interpretation of risk factors in breast cancer of women

Abstract

Breast cancer is a major public health problem, being the most common cancer diagnosed in women and accounting for more than 1 in 10 new diagnoses of cancer each year. It is the most common neoplasm of women under the age of 40 and the second leading cause of cancer death in this age group, with more frequent detection of pathogenic mutations in breast cancer susceptibility genes. Women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are about 70% more likely to develop breast cancer. The incidence is rising in most countries and it is expected to have a growing trend in the next 20 years, despite the current efforts to prevent the disease. In order to improve the survival rate, it is necessary to make a diagnosis as early as possible and to initiate the appropriate therapeutic management as soon as possible. Therefore, in order to detect breast formations, mammography screening is very important, breast density being an important factor in predicting the risk of breast cancer. Thus, the presence of high breast density represents a 4-6 times higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to women with low breast density. Aging and menopause are also risk factors for breast cancer. Hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal women has the benefit of relieving symptoms such as hot flashes, depression or sleep disturbances, but it increases the risk of developing breast cancer.