Any women can get breast cancer. However, here are some factors that may increase a woman's chances of getting the disease:

• Getting older (50 years of age or older)
• Having a first menstrual period at a young age (younger than 12 years)
• Starting menopause at an older age (older than 55 years)
• Not having children, or giving birth to a first child after age 30
• Not breastfeeding
• Having a close family member (parent, sibling, child) who has had breast cancer, especially at an early age
• Having certain gene mutations (BRCA 1 or BRCA 2)
• Being overweight or obese or not getting enough exercise
• Alcohol consumption
• Exposure to high levels of ionizing radiation to the chest area early in life
• Long-term use of hormone replacement therapy

Having one or more of these risk factors does not mean you will surely get breast cancer. Many women do not have any risk factors. Therefore, screening is important for all women.

There is no assured way to completely prevent breast cancer, however, there are ways to lower your risk. These include:

• Consuming less alcohol
• Regular exercise
• Maintaining healthy weight
• Exclusive breast feeding during your baby's first 6 months, and continuing for 12 months or longer
• Regular check-ups and screening tests to detect breast cancer at an earlier stage, when treatment works best

Every woman should conduct a self a breast self-exam once a month. It should be performed 7-10 days after menstrual cycle begins when breasts are least tender and lumpy. If you have attained menopause, then select a particular day of every month to perform this exam. You have to look for a change from last month’s exam to this month. If you discover any changes or a persistent lump in your breast, see a doctor immediately. Though most of the lumps are benign, all need assessment to rule out cancer.

Mammography can sometimes cause slight discomfort for a very brief period of time as it involves compression of the breast. However, there is no evidence that breast compression can spread the cancer. Ideally, mammograms are scheduled a week after woman’s menstrual cycle so that the breasts are less tender.