A pair of hands holding a red cancer ribbon

Breast Cancer Causes and Risk Factors

What causes breast cancer? What puts you at risk? There are a number of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence your risk for breast cancer.
Nurse evaluating mammogram results
Does Breast Size Affect Your Risk of Breast Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
woman holding cup of coffee
Does Caffeine Cause or Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
woman talking to doctor
The Role of BRCA Mutations in Breast Cancer
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
male nipple piercing
Pierced Nipples: What Are the Health Risks?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Woman wine tasting red wine should worry about risk of breast cancer
How Alcohol Raises the Risk of Breast Cancer
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
etrogen / estriol
Estrogen Types and Their Connection to Breast Cancer
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Woman holding birth control pills, mid section
Answers to 10 Common Questions About Breast Cancer
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Young woman smoking cigarette outside office building
The Connection Between Smoking and Breast Cancer
Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD
Fresh grapefruit on chopping board
Does Eating Grapefruit Raise the Risk of Breast Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Woman hugging her mother in the kitchen
Breast Cancer Risk in Daughters of Women With Breast Cancer
By Pam Stephan
woman in bra with breast cancer ribbon
Breast Cancer: Causes and Risk Factors
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
older women
Breast Cancer Myths—Get the Facts
By Pam Stephan
Breast Cancer women holding hands
Breast Cancer Doesn’t Discriminate
Fact checked by Sheeren Jegtvig
Doctor and patient using digital tablet in clinic
The Association Between Dense Breasts Breast Cancer
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Edamame in a white dish
Does Soy Prevent Breast Cancer or Make It Grow?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
gene mutation illustrating the non-BRCA gene mutations that raise breast cancer risk
Non-BRCA Gene Mutations That Raise Breast Cancer Risk
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD