NON-MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS   MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS    Gender > Age   Personal breast cancer history   Family history   Proliferative breast conditions   Breast density   Early menstruation/ Late menopause    Radiation exposure   Reproduction   Breastfeeding   Hormone replacement therapy   Oral contraceptives   Body weight   Physical activity   Alcohol use   Tobacco smoke (for younger women)

AGE

For most women, age is the strongest risk factor. The chance of developing breast cancer increases as a woman gets older, but young women can still get the disease. Eighty per cent of breast cancer cases occur in women over age 50.

Source: Canadian Cancer Society /National Cancer Institute of Canada. Canadian Cancer Statistics 2007, Toronto, Canada, 2007.