How does menstrual and reproductive history affect breast cancer risks?
Studies show that a woman’s menstrual and reproductive history can affect her breast cancer risk. The following items may impact a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer:
- Menstrual history: Starting menstrual periods before age 12 and starting menopause after age 55 exposes women to hormones longer, raising their risk of getting breast cancer.
- Reproductive history: Women who have their first full-term pregnancy at an early age (before 30) have a decreased risk of developing breast cancer later in life.
For women with several of these factors, their risk is higher than for those with just one of these risk factors.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National Institutes of Health