Why one woman develops breast cancer
and another does not is still something
doctors often can’t explain.
Indeed, most women diagnosed with
cancerous tumors in their breasts have no
clear risk factors for breast cancer other
than growing older. Aging does make
women more vulnerable to the disease—
most cases of breast cancer occur in
women ages 60 and older.
Still, studies show that certain factors
in addition to age increase a woman’s
risk. Discuss these risk factors with
your doctor:
Family history.
Having a mother, sister,
or daughter with breast cancer roughly
doubles a woman’s chance of breast
cancer. Even so, as many as 80 percent
of all women diagnosed with breast
cancer do not have a family history of
the disease.
Genetic risk factors.
About 5 to
10 percent of breast cancers are thought
to be tied to abnormal genes that women
may inherit.
Breast changes.
Certain abnormal
changes in breast cells—ones that can be
detected with a breast biopsy—increase
breast cancer risk.
Early periods or late menopause.
Women who have their first period before
age 12 or who go through menopause
after 55 have a slightly heightened risk of
breast cancer.
Reproductive history.
Not having
children can slightly increase your risk, as
can having your first child after age 30.
Hormone use.
Hormone therapy
after menopause—specifically long-
term combination therapy in which the
hormones estrogen and progesterone are
prescribed together—adds to risk.
Extra pounds.
Being overweight or
obese may heighten risk.
Alcohol.
Drinking alcohol increases
breast cancer risk.
Preventive screenings, including
mammograms, are the most effective
way to detect breast cancer early.
Unfortunately, Idaho and Utah have the
lowest screening rates in the nation. Talk
to your doctor about risk factors and your
need for breast cancer screening.
Most SelectHealth plans cover
mammograms at 100 percent. Call
Member Services for your specific benefit.
Reference: “What are the risk factors for breast
cancer?”
Breast Cancer
. American Cancer Society.
2014. Web. 7 March 2014.
Breast cancer:
Know your risk
Women’s
health
rights
At SelectHealth, we, in accordance
with the Women’s Health and
Cancer Rights Act of 1998,
provide coverage for cancer-related
mastectomy services.
This required coverage includes
all stages of reconstruction of the
breast on which the mastectomy
was performed, surgery and
reconstruction of the other breast to
produce a symmetrical appearance,
prostheses, and treatment of any
physical complications of the
mastectomy including lymphedema.
Privacy Notice
You can find the SelectHealth
Notice of Privacy Practices at
selecthealth.org
. You can ask
for a hard copy by calling the
Intermountain Privacy Office
at
800-442-4845
, e-mailing
privacy@imail.org
, or writing to
this address:
SelectHealth
Attn: Privacy Office
P.O. Box 30192
Salt Lake City, UT 84120-8212
selecthealth.org
| spring 2014 | Total Fitness
the doctor is in
