Risk factors and epidemiology of breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer and the principal cause of death from cancer among women worldwide. Risk factors for breast cancer are manifold. Certain risk factors, such as age and family history are well established. Research in the past decade has further elucidated disease aetiology, in particular the role of hormones and the discovery of breast cancer susceptibility genes (e.g. BRCA1, BRCA2). In spite of the evidence concerning the risks of breast cancer, women often have a poor understanding of its causes and limited personal risk perception. The media are an important source of health information for many women, but the popular and general-interest media often misrepresent risk factors. Knowledge of breast cancer risk factors and perception of personal risk are significant behaviour motivators to prevent, detect and manage disease. This article will review the risk factors for breast cancer, and examine the research on women’s perception of risk and understanding of risk factors, and the reporting of breast cancer in the media.