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Test Your Breast Cancer IQ

Take our test, then scroll down find the answers.

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(March 4, 2008) —

True or False? Gaining weight after age 18 increases a woman's risk of breast cancer after menopause, whereas losing weight can reduce the risk.

True or False? A woman's risk of breast cancer is higher if her mother, sister, or daughter had breast cancer.

True or False? A woman in good health with no family history of breast cancer need not worry unless she is over 60 years old.

True or False? The younger a woman is when she has her first child, the greater her risk of breast cancer.

True or False? Women who go through menopause later (after age 55) are at a lower risk for breast cancer.

True or False? Women who are physically inactive throughout life have an increased risk of breast cancer.

True or False? Having two or more drinks each day increases your risk of getting breast cancer by about 20 percent. (A drink is defined as 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor.)

True or False? A healthy diet low in fats has little effect on a woman’s risk of breast cancer.

The Answers

True: Gaining weight after age 18 increases a woman's risk of breast cancer after menopause, whereas losing weight can reduce the risk.

Gaining weight after age 18 increases a woman's risk of breast cancer after menopause, whereas losing weight after menopause can reduce the risk, researchers at Harvard Medical School have found. The researchers suggest that women should be advised to avoid weight gain during adulthood to decrease their postmenopausal breast cancer risk. After adjusting for multiple breast cancer risk factors, the researchers found that women who gained 55 lbs. or more after age 18 had almost 1½ times the risk of cancer compared with those who maintained their weight. A gain of 22 lbs. after menopause was associated with an increased risk of 18 percent. Losing 22 lbs. after menopause decreased the risk by 57 percent. "Although these data suggest that it is never too late to lose weight to decrease risk, given the difficulty in losing weight, the emphasis must also remain on weight maintenance throughout adult life," they conclude. Start exercising…and then haul out your high school prom dress for a night on the town!

True: A woman's risk of breast cancer is higher if her mother, sister, or daughter had breast cancer.

A woman's risk of breast cancer is higher if her mother, sister, or daughter had breast cancer. This is especially true if her family member had breast cancer at a young age (before age 40). Approximately 5 to 10 percent of American women who get breast cancer each year have a hereditary form of the disease.

False: A woman in good health with no family history of breast cancer needn’t worry unless she is over 60 years old.

Breast cancer strikes women of all ages! Women over age 60 are at greatest risk because the risk of breast cancer increases as you get older. It is important to remember that youth won’t protect you from getting breast cancer. Women of all ages should think about reducing the risk factors they can control, being aware of changes in their bodies, and having screenings on a regular basis.

False: The younger a woman is when she has her first child, the greater her risk of breast cancer.

The older a woman is when she has her first child, the greater her risk of developing breast cancer. If a woman has never had children, she is also at increased risk.

False: Women who go through menopause late (after age 55) are at lower risk for breast cancer.

In fact, women who go through menopause late (after age 55) are at increased risk for breast cancer.

True: Women who are physically inactive throughout life have an increased risk of breast cancer.

There is a strong correlation between lack of physical activity and obesity. A recent study from the Women’s Health Initiative found that physical activity among postmenopausal women who walked about 30 minutes per day was associated with a reduction of breast cancer risk. However, this reduction in risk was greatest among women who were of normal weight. For these women, physical activity was associated with a 37 percent decrease in risk. This protective effect of physical activity was not found among overweight or obese women. You may want to consider increasing your physical activity for its overall health benefits. Being physically active may help to reduce risk by preventing weight gain and obesity.

False: Having two or more drinks each day increases your risk of getting breast cancer by about 20 percent.

Having two or more drinks each day actually increases your risk of getting breast cancer by about 25 percent! (A drink is defined as 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor.)

False: A healthy diet low in fats has little effect on a woman’s risk of breast cancer.

Postmenopausal women who reduced their consumption of dietary fat and had been treated for early-stage breast cancer reduced their chances for breast cancer recurrence or a second breast cancer, according to results from the Women's Intervention Nutrition Study (WINS) completed in December 2006. "The relationship between dietary fat and breast cancer has been unclear to this point," said NCI (National Cancer Institute) Director John E. Niederhuber, M.D. "Certainly there is accumulating evidence that a healthy lifestyle -- reduced fat consumption and exercise -- is a worthy goal to decrease risk and to optimize long-term therapy outcome." It is important to note however, that a reduction in fat is just one of many dietary modifications that may influence the development of cancer. Choosing to eat moderate portions and a diet packed with fruits and vegetables is also vitally important. Visit “Nan’s Kitchen” for nutrient-packed, delicious recipes…and you’ll be one step closer to a healthier lifestyle!

Source: National Cancer Institute

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