assessing-breast-cancer-risk-what-to-know

Hina Khan, gracefully adjusting to the physical changes during her cancer treatment, posted a video of herself on Instagram on Tuesday. In the video, she discusses her skincare routine, but it's her bald appearance that stands out. Wearing a black hat, Hina Khan's look captured everyone's attention. Hina Khan is currently fighting Stage Three breast cancer, a diagnosis she shared on Instagram last month.

 

Hina Khan has been actively chronicling her journey—her first chemotherapy session, her work experiences, and her hair transformation—one post at a time. She recently posted a video from her first work assignment after being diagnosed.

 

She also decided to shave her head to align with her ongoing treatment. The actress expressed that witnessing her hair fall out was "painful and stressful" for her. Additionally, she shared images of her fallen hair on her pillow and clothes.

 

"You can win this only if you embrace it, accept it, and I choose to accept my battle scars because I believe if you embrace yourself, you are a step closer towards your healing and I really want to heal and focus on that aspect of my life. I don't want to go through that process where every time I put my hand in my hair, a bunch of hair falls. It is very stressful and depressing. I don't want to go through that," Hina said in the video.

 

Assessing the risk of breast cancer typically involves examining different factors that may impact a person's chances of developing the condition. Some factors that are considered include:

 

1. Age

The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. The likelihood of developing breast cancer is higher in older individuals.

 

Approximately 80% of breast cancer cases occur in women over 50 years old, who have undergone menopause. This is why it is recommended that all women aged 50-71 undergo screening for breast cancer every three years.

 

2. Family history

Having a mother, sister, or daughter (referred to as a "first-degree relative") diagnosed with breast cancer roughly doubles the risk of developing breast cancer. The risk is even greater if there are multiple close relatives with breast cancer, or if a family member developed breast cancer before the age of 50.

 

While a family history of breast cancer on the mother's side is linked to a higher risk, it's important to not dismiss a history of breast cancer on the father's side.

 

3. Genetic mutations

Mutations in genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 are linked to an increased risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer, often at younger ages.

 

About 10-13% of women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives, and most of these cases do not involve predisposing mutations, such as changes in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. In contrast, most women who inherit a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variant will develop breast cancer between 70 and 80 years of age if they are not properly monitored and treated, for instance with bilateral mastectomies (meaning both sides).

 

However, these may not be the only genetic mutations that elevate the risk of breast cancer. In Munn’s case, despite not having a BRCA mutation, she may have had other genes that are now understood to play a role, such as the ATM gene or the CHEK2 gene.

 

Importantly, genetic tests are now more accessible and faster to obtain than they once were and can often be accessed through the NHS.

 

4. Medical history

A person's medical history, including any prior breast biopsies and benign breast conditions, is considered as they can elevate the risk of breast cancer.

 

Hormonal and reproductive health, such as the timing of the first period, first full-term pregnancy, and menopausal status, are also taken into consideration by a doctor.

 

Research also suggests how delaying the first pregnancy until the late 30s can heighten the risk of breast cancer. We identified that changes in breast tissue during pregnancy can lead to an increased occurrence of mutations over time.

 

5. Breast density

Breast density, characterised by high amounts of glandular and connective tissue and low amounts of fatty tissue, when observed in mammograms, doubles the risk of breast cancer.

 

6. Lifestyle 

Lifestyle choices like smoking, diet, physical activity, obesity, and hormone replacement therapy are all factors linked to a higher risk of breast cancer, and your doctor will assess all of these when evaluating your risk. Alcohol consumption is particularly significant, as excessive use is associated with a higher risk, while even moderate alcohol intake can elevate the risk by 30-50%.

 

7. Radiation exposure

Undergoing radiation therapy for lymphoma, especially during childhood and adolescence, may raise the risk of breast cancer, although this is uncommon.

It's important to clarify that this only refers to radiation treatment, and routine X-rays should not increase the risk of breast cancer.

 

Caveats and restrictions

 

This is not a comprehensive list and other factors could also be significant. For instance, diabetic women have a potential 20% higher risk of developing postmenopausal breast cancer compared to older, non-diabetic women – although this might be linked to obesity.

 

The calculation of breast cancer risk typically involves incorporating these factors into risk assessment models, sometimes referred to as risk calculators. These models utilise statistical algorithms to predict an individual’s probability of developing breast cancer over a specific time period based on the average risk of breast cancer for a group of women with similar risk factors.

 

For example, if the model indicates a five-year risk of 1% for a woman, this means that the tool estimates that 1% of women with similar risk factors will develop breast cancer in the next five years. However, it cannot determine which of these women will actually develop breast cancer.

 

While these risk assessment tools can furnish valuable insights, they are not flawless predictors. Personalised medical advice should always be sought from healthcare professionals, and it is important to have multiple discussions before considering any preventative treatment.