Risk Factors You Can Control

Your risk of breast cancer may be increased by:

• Having more than one drink of alcohol per day
  
• Being overweight after menopause or gaining weight as an adult
  
• Taking birth control pills for 5 years or longer (can slightly increase your risk for breast cancer)
  
• Never having children
  
• Having your first child after age 30
  
• Currently or recently using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for 5+ years
  
• Being exposed to large amounts of radiation, such as having very frequent spine x-rays during scoliosis treatment or treatment for Hodgkin’s disease at a young age