Cancers of all types are caused by mutations in cellular DNA, changing the way the cell grows, multiplies, and behaves. These mutations can be caused by free-radicals in the body and the enviroment. Fats are particularly prone to free-radical damage, and breasts are comprised of 70 to 90 % fat on average. (See the section entitled "Cancer").

There are a number of risk factors for the development of breast cancer. If you are a woman, you have a greater risk of developing breast cancer. This may sound odd or obvious, but men can develop breast cancer as well, although it occurs much more infrequently in men.

Your risk increases with age as well.

Some people may be genetically predispositioned to developing breast cancer. If you have a parent, sibling, or child with breast cancer, your risk increases two to three-fold. If two or more of such relatives have breast cancer, your risk increases to five to six times the norm. Your risk increases only slightly if you have a more distant relative with breast cancer.

There has also been the discovery of two breast cancer genes, BRCA1 and BRCA 2. Five to ten percent of women with breast cancer carry one of these genes. Women with the BRCA1 gene also have and increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. It has also been observed that if a man carries the BRCA 2 gene, he too has an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Women who have a history of invasive or in situ breast cancer are at an increased risk, as are women who's period began before the age of 12, women whose menopause began later in life, and people with radiation exposure before the age of 30. Women whose first pregnancy was after the age of 30 are at an increased risk as well as women who are nulliparous.

The use of oral contraceptive increases risk. If you began using them before the age of 20, your risk increases a bit more. However, this risk tends to decline during the ten year period after you stop using them. Estrogen-replacement therapy, often prescribed to post-menopausal women, increases your risk of developing breast cancer, especially after ten to twenty years of use. Also, women with naturally high levels of estrogen are at an increased risk.

Estrogen-mimicing compounds in the environment can also increase the risk. These compounds are found in soft plastics (plastic wrap, bottles, etc.), pesticides, herbicides, paints, textiles, and paper products, just to name a few. The same effect DOES NOT occur with estrogen-like compounds naturally occurring in foods such as soy. This is because these types of compounds are much weaker than estrogen, and they take up space on receptor sites on cell membranes thus reducing or blocking cell proliferating effects of estrogen.

Smoking is a major risk factor in the development of many cancers, including breast cancer.

Severe psychological stress has also been implicated as a risk factor. Stress alters the hormone balance in the body.

A poor diet, high in fat and low in fibre can also increase your risk of breast cancer.

Studies show that 90% of breast cancers that are found in early stages are completely curable. More than 80% of breast cancers are first discovered by the patient either by accident or while performing a breast self-exam (BSE). It is important to keep "abreast" of any changes that occur in your breasts and have them checked out by a naturopath or other health care practitioner.

Many different organizations promote the routine examination of breasts using mammograms for women of different age groups. Controversy exists between these organizations as to who should be screened and how often. Even more controversy exists with the fact that mammograms use radiation to form the mammograph. Some people believe that this low level of radiation can be harmful and even cause or promote the continued growth of cancer, particularly if you are frequently exposed to it. These controversies are beyond the scope of this section. It is suggested that you find out all you can about mammograms and make a decision that is most comfortable for you.