Breast cancer is one of the most common diseases in women worldwide and, although there is a general perception that it is mainly hereditary, only a small percentage is.
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According to oncologist Dr. Juan Carlos Samamé, creator of the portal Learning about cancer“we define hereditary breast cancer as one in which it is shown that there is a gene involved, a mutated gene that can be inherited from generation to generation.” These types of cases, which represent between 10% and 15%, can be detected through genetic studies, especially in families with a history of breast or ovarian cancer.
Dr. Sarah McLaughlin, an oncology surgeon at Mayo Clinic, agrees that “about 5% of women who have breast cancer have a genetic mutation that predisposes them to the disease.” However, most cases of breast cancer do not have an identifiable genetic cause. This has led researchers to focus on external factors that are contributing to the increased incidence.
One of the most worrying aspects is the increase in sporadic cases, those that are not related to known genetic mutations. According to Dr. Samamé, “sporadic breast cancer, which occurs without any type of genetic background, represents the majority of cases.” For this reason, specialists are analyzing in depth the environmental and lifestyle factors that may be behind this increase in cases.
The report ‘Improving outcomes for women with triple negative breast cancer in Latin America – An extended analysis’from the Swedish Institute of Health Economics, reveals that breast cancer is the most common neoplasm in women, with approximately 1,600 diagnoses per year. This report also indicates that the triple-negative subtype of breast cancer, a particularly aggressive type, affects 21% of patients.
External factors and their influence on breast cancer
Dr. McLaughlin highlights that “the majority of women do not have a history of breast cancer, they do not have an identifiable risk factor beyond their age and being a woman.” To this he adds that “we know that some benign biopsies show atypical cells that can increase the risk of breast cancer in the future.” These observations have motivated investigations into possible causes.
Among external factors, Dr. Samamé emphasizes that overweight and obesity play an important role, particularly in postmenopausal women, a group that represents approximately 40% of cases. The oncologist explains that “excess fatty tissue increases levels of estrogen, a hormone that can stimulate the growth of cancer cells.”
Similarly, Dr. McLaughlin warns that “excess body fat is a major risk factor for breast cancer, especially for disease recurrence.”
Specialists are analyzing in depth the environmental and lifestyle factors that may be behind this increase in cases.
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Other risk factors: tobacco, alcohol and night work
Likewise, other factors such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are linked to the appearance of this disease. “We normally associate tobacco with lung cancer or alcohol with liver problems, but both are strongly linked to breast cancer,” points out Dr. Samamé. In addition, it mentions that exposure to certain environmental factors, such as night work and lack of sleep, could also be associated with the development of breast cancer.
In recent years, the medical community has observed an increase in breast cancer cases in young women, many of them under 40 years of age. Dr. Samamé points out that this increase could be related to changes in lifestyle, as well as the use of hormonal contraceptives. However, the specialist clarifies that “there is still not enough evidence to say with certainty that hormonal contraceptives are a definitive risk factor.”
Early detection
Early diagnosis remains key to increasing the chances of cure in cases of breast cancer. ““The earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chances of a cure,” underlines Samamé, who also recommends mammography as the most effective screening method for women over 40 years of age. However, he warns that “there are still 34% of diagnosed women who did not undergo any prior check-up tests.”
Both Dr. Samamé and Dr. McLaughlin agree on the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. Se+ suggests “moderate alcohol consumption, avoid tobacco and follow a Mediterranean-type diet.” Furthermore, they emphasize that “Exercise is very useful, not only for maintaining a healthy body weight, but also for reducing the risk of breast cancer.”
El Comercio (Peru) / GDA.
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*This content was rewritten with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on information from El Comercio (GDA), and was reviewed by a journalist and an editor.
