Breast cancer health centre

It is still not clear why some women and men develop breast cancer, but a number of risk factors have been identified.



Women who are told they are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer may never develop it, while others with a lower risk do.



Women will be invited for breast screening from their 50s to check for early signs of breast cancer (invitations will be offered to women form age 47 in the near future). However, women thought to be at a higher risk of developing breast cancer may be screened earlier.

Causes of breast cancer

Among the most significant factors are advancing age and a family history of breast cancer. Risk increases slightly for a woman who has had a benign breast lump and increases significantly for a woman who has previously had cancer of the breast or the ovaries.