What Causes Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Prevention

Estimated read time: 11 minutes

Ever wonder what causes breast cancer? Or how can you prevent breast cancer? Keep on reading.

If you are new here, we are so glad you've landed on the "Let's Talk Titties" blog. We're here to help you keep your Boobies happy and healthy.

Breast cancer.

It’s a diagnosis that sadly about 240,000 women in the US receive each year. It’s a disease that affects you physically and emotionally, as well as those around you who love you.

And if you’ve been recently diagnosed with breast cancer, or you’re supporting someone you love who has received a diagnosis, then we’re so sorry mama, and we’re so proud of how strong you are being.

Two of the big questions a lot of women ask themselves are can you prevent breast cancer and what causes breast cancer? Well Breastie, the good news is that you can take proactive steps to reduce your risk of breast cancer and promote breast health. Giving your beautiful Boobies the best chance of staying healthy. 

In this blog post, we’ll look at both these questions and share tips and advice to keep your Brave Boobies healthy.

In this article:

• What causes breast cancer?
• Can you prevent breast cancer?

What causes breast cancer?

Before we look at the question can you prevent breast cancer, it’s important to understand what it is and what causes breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a complex disease, often characterized by abnormal cell growth in the breast tissue. It’s diagnosed in stages related to the size and spread of the cancer cells. While certain risk factors such as genetics and age are beyond our control, there are several factors within our control that can make a significant difference in preventing the disease.

Many different things can affect your chances of developing breast cancer in your lifetime, because, with breast cancer, there is no single cause. It results from a mixture of lifestyle choices, genes, and the environment you live in. 

While the exact cause of breast cancer isn’t always clear, research has identified several risk factors and potential contributors.

Let’s have a look at some of the causes you cannot control when it comes to breast cancer:

• Being a woman (although men can also develop breast cancer).
  
  
• Getting older: The risk of breast cancer increases with age, with most breast cancers being diagnosed after the age of 50.
  
  
• Reproductive history: This is all to do with hormones. If you started your periods before you were 12 or started menopause after the age of 55, you are exposed to hormones for longer which can increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
  
  
• Genetic mutations: There are certain genetic mutations that can put you at a higher risk of getting breast cancer, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2. Certain ethnic groups, such as Ashkenazi Jewish women have a higher risk for a BRCA gene mutation, which can put them at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. 
  
  
• Dense breast tissue: Breast density is the amount of breast tissue compared to fat tissue in your Boobs. Having a higher amount of breast tissue compared to fat means you have a high breast density, which can increase the risk of breast cancer. Mammograms can measure your breast density effectively.
  
  
• Family history: Having a mom, sister, grandma, or aunt (for example) diagnosed with breast cancer can increase your risk. The risk is higher when more close relatives have breast cancer, or if your relative got the disease under the age of 50. 
  
  
• Benign breast disease: This is when there is a change in your breast that isn’t cancer. While most benign breast conditions don’t increase your risk of breast cancer, atypical hyperplasia, and lobular neoplasia do carry a slightly increased risk, so always remember to check your Titties!
  
  
• Sex hormones: Levels of sex hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, can increase breast cancer risk.
  
  
• Previous cancer: If you’ve previously had breast cancer or skin, lung, bowel, or womb cancer, it can increase your risk of developing another breast cancer. Your doctor will keep a close eye on you so any new cancers can be detected early. 

 

It’s important to remember Breastie that while these factors can contribute to breast cancer, many women with one or more of these risk factors never develop the disease, and many women without identifiable risk factors do. Breast cancer is a super complex disease influenced by a mix of genetic, hormonal, lifestyle, and environmental factors. 

 

 

Can you prevent breast cancer?

Did you know that there is currently an early trial of a breast cancer vaccine? It is unclear when it may be available, however, there is hope for a breast cancer vaccine that can lead to a reduction in breast cancer rates for our future generations.

As the causes of breast cancer are not fully understood, it’s not known if getting the disease can be prevented altogether.

While you can’t change some factors that can increase your risk of developing breast cancer, there are some things you can do to help lower your risk. These include taking care of your health and staying on top of your breast health. So, let’s dive in!

1. Keeping a healthy weight

We all know that what we eat and drink can impact our overall health, and this includes breast health. A healthy diet and a healthy weight can make a big difference, and research has shown that keeping a healthy weight reduces the risk of 13 different types of cancer including breast cancer.

Treat your body like the beautiful temple that it is by eating a healthy, balanced diet full of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins. Don’t skimp on the ones that contain powerful antioxidants that may contribute to cancer prevention such as broccoli, kale, and berries. Yum!

Studies have also shown that cutting down on the amount of alcohol you drink lowers your risk of developing breast cancer - the more you cut down, the more you can reduce your risk.

2. Stay active

This kinda goes hand-in-hand with keeping a healthy weight. This is because being physically active can help keep you at an ideal weight, which, can reduce your risk. 

But being active can also prevent breast cancer in ways not related to your weight. It lowers the levels of insulin, hormones, and growth factors in your body, which can all help reduce the risk of getting breast cancer. 

Staying active doesn’t mean hitting the gym hard and heavy every day. It’s anything that makes you feel a bit warmer, slightly out of breath, and increases your heartbeat, so do whatever you enjoy that gets you huffing and puffing.

3. Breastfeed

It’s not totally clear why breastfeeding can help prevent breast cancer, but it might be because the ovaries don’t produce eggs so often during breastfeeding, so your estrogen levels remain stable. It might also be because breastfeeding changes the cells in your breasts so they might be more resistant to changes that can lead to cancer.

The longer you breastfeed, the more your risk is reduced, so if you’re breastfeeding now, think about extended breastfeeding, and if you’re planning on having a baby, get clued up about the amazing benefits of breastfeeding.

4. Check your Titties!

The earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the better your chances of successful treatment. That’s why it’s super important to check your Titties regularly and speak to your doctor if you notice any changes. We always check our Titties on the first of every month, so it’s easier to remember. It’s crucial to check your whole breast area including your upper chest and armpits. We’ve put together a handy guide to show you how to check yours. 

You should also follow the recommended guidelines for mammograms and make sure that you attend your screenings, even if you haven’t noticed any changes.

 

 

5. Use caution when taking birth control and hormone replacement therapy

While using hormonal birth control and HRT are common, some research has shown links between them and an increased risk of breast cancer. If you’re taking either of these treatments or are considering them, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor, especially if you are already at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. They might be able to recommend other options or lower your dose. 

6. Know your family history and personal risk

Your personal risk is a combination of things like having the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, having dense breasts, having a previous diagnosis, and being aware of your family history of breast cancer. 

Your family history is one of the most important risk factors, so if breast cancer runs in your family, it’s a good idea to get tested for possible mutations to your BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

Knowing your risks can help you and your doctor make a prevention plan to reduce your chances of developing or detecting breast cancer early. This might include steps such as medications, increased screenings, lifestyle adjustments, or surgeries (such as preventative mastectomies).  

You’ve got this mama

While there’s no absolute guarantee to the question can you prevent breast cancer, you do have some control Breastie.

By making informed and sensible life choices, staying on top of your breast health, and seeking advice from healthcare professionals, you can take big steps towards minimizing your list of getting breast cancer. Empower yourself, know your body, spread awareness, and encourage other amazing women in your life to take control of their breast health.

 

At Titty City Design, we believe that every boobie is beautiful, and that should be celebrated. We are a female-owned and operated, small business here to spread self-love and body positivity with our line of boob apparel, boob accessories, and boob-themed decor and products for the home. A portion of our proceeds goes to help support postpartum people and breast cancer patients.

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