Who is at high risk for developing breast cancer?

Who is at high risk for developing breast cancer?

• A. Women who gave birth before 20 years old
• B. Nulliparous women
• C. Women who have dense breasts
• D. Women who smoke only

Answer: (B)

Not having a full-term pregnancy leaves breast tissue more susceptible to cancer risk over a lifetime. A full-term pregnancy brings hormonal changes that cause breast cells to mature and become less vulnerable to malignant changes, and it also reduces the total number of menstrual cycles and estrogen exposure. So women who have never carried a pregnancy (nulliparous) lack that protective effect, putting them at higher risk compared with those who have had children. Dense breast tissue can increase risk and makes screening harder, and smoking’s link to breast cancer is less clear. But among these factors, never having a full-term pregnancy is the one most consistently associated with higher risk.

Not having a full-term pregnancy leaves breast tissue more susceptible to cancer risk over a lifetime. A full-term pregnancy brings hormonal changes that cause breast cells to mature and become less vulnerable to malignant changes, and it also reduces the total number of menstrual cycles and estrogen exposure. So women who have never carried a pregnancy (nulliparous) lack that protective effect, putting them at higher risk compared with those who have had children.

Dense breast tissue can increase risk and makes screening harder, and smoking’s link to breast cancer is less clear. But among these factors, never having a full-term pregnancy is the one most consistently associated with higher risk.