The Influence of Diet Upon the Risk Factors For Developing Breast Cancer

As a practicing Obstetrician and Gynecologist, I consult with women on a daily basis regarding their risk factors for developing breast cancer. Currently, one in eight women will develop breast cancer over their lifetime. Only five to ten percent of breast cancers are genetically determined and result from inherited mutations or alterations in the breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRAC1 and BRCA2.11 Therefore, ninety to ninety-five percent of breast cancers are theoretically preventable. That is an important statement because I do not believe that the general public realizes that breast cancers are preventable. I encourage women to be proactive in diminishing their own personal risk factors for developing breast cancer. The contributing factors are multi-factorial including, age, weight, pregnancy history, hormones balance, and environmental exposure to toxins. Also a very important influence to the risk of developing breast cancer is diet.