Risk Factors: Early Menstruation and Late Menopause
The timing of the beginning and end of a woman’s reproductive stage of life may influence her risk of developing breast cancer.
There is a low increase in the risk of breast cancer if you started your first menstrual period (menarche) at an early age (younger than 12), or go into menopause later than the average woman (over the age of 55).
Why is this so? Starting your period before the age of 12 and/or going into menopause after 55 means that your body’s exposure to estrogen is longer than in the average woman. Breast tissue is susceptible to the effects of estrogen and estrogen exposure plays a role in the development of breast cancer.
The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation encourages you to learn about your breast health, breast cancer risk, ways to reduce your risk, and the benefits and limitations of screening for the earlier detection of breast cancer. To inform your decisions, you may also find it helpful to speak to a health care provider.
More Information
Source
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Ontario Region. (2010). Earlier Detection and Diagnosis of Breast Cancer: A Report from It’s About Time! A Consensus Conference.