Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon CausesEffect on Black WomenGeneticsLifestyle Risk FactorsAccess to CareFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Breast Cancer GuideHow Breast Cancer Can Be Misdiagnosed
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Common Causes
Effect on Black Women
Genetics
Lifestyle Risk Factors
Access to Care
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Breast Cancer Guide
Healthcare providers seldom know why one woman developsbreast cancerand another does not. No one knows the cause of breast cancer.
Still, breast cancer is one of themost well-researched cancersin the world, and the flood of research gives us hope that the causes will soon be found.
What we do know are the many risk factors and potential causes of breast cancer. To understand breast cancer we must start with the fact that all breast cancer develops from damaged DNA. Race-specific DNA mutations and differences in tumor biology are prime areas of insight in the quest to cure breast cancer.
In looking into the causes of breast cancer, researchers also hope to understand why Black women younger than 35 years old get breast cancer at two times the rate of White women and die from breast cancer three times as often as White women.
This article looks into the potential causes and risk factors for breast cancer, with insights into the effect on Black women.
Most breast cancers are carcinomas, which means that the cancer cells are derived from epithelial cells that line the milk ducts or glands of the breast. Some breast cancers can also develop in the lobes and stroma of the breast.
Changes in the DNA of a woman’s breast begin in the 12 to 20 sections of tissue, called lobes, which surround the nipple like petals on a flower. Each lobe contains several glands, where milk is produced.
Breast cancer may be related to DNA changes (mutations, amplifications, etc), but this is not always the case.
High-Risk Categories for Breast CancerGroups of people who are at very high risk include:Women who are BRCA gene carriersWomen with more than two close relatives who have had breast cancerWomen with a close relative with a history of premenopausal breast cancer
High-Risk Categories for Breast Cancer
Groups of people who are at very high risk include:Women who are BRCA gene carriersWomen with more than two close relatives who have had breast cancerWomen with a close relative with a history of premenopausal breast cancer
Groups of people who are at very high risk include:
Breast cancer rates in Black women have increased more rapidly—0.9% per year compared to 0.4% in White women—equalizing breast cancer rates in both groups. The main reason for this is the massive success of breast cancer awareness campaigns.
More Black women are getting tested, so naturally, more breast cancers are being detected. Still, the rise in breast cancer diagnoses is alarming.
The Rise in Breast Cancer Cases in Black WomenAdditional reasons for the rise in Black breast cancer cases include:Barriers to care, such as lack of insurance and medical mistrustFinancial concerns that result in skipped mammograms and treatment delaysFear of a bad outcome or partner abandonment
The Rise in Breast Cancer Cases in Black Women
Additional reasons for the rise in Black breast cancer cases include:Barriers to care, such as lack of insurance and medical mistrustFinancial concerns that result in skipped mammograms and treatment delaysFear of a bad outcome or partner abandonment
Additional reasons for the rise in Black breast cancer cases include:
Up to 25% of hereditary cases are due to a mutation in one of a few rare genes:
These confer up to an 80% lifetime risk of breast cancer. An additional 2% to 3% of cases are due to a mutation in one of the following rare, less penetrating genes:
These are each associated with a twofold increase in the risk of developing breast cancer.
Abnormal Genes in Black WomenA study published in the journalCancerfound that young Black women have a higher rate of abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes than previously believed.This may help to explain why Black women have a worse prognosis than White women after diagnosis.
Abnormal Genes in Black Women
A study published in the journalCancerfound that young Black women have a higher rate of abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes than previously believed.This may help to explain why Black women have a worse prognosis than White women after diagnosis.
Everyone has BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes that help to repair cell damage and keep breast cells growing normally. When these cells do not function properly, they allow mutated DNA to create abnormal proteins in cells. These mutations may be passed on from generation to generation, and breast cells remain damaged, increasing breast cancer risk.
The breast cancer risk for Black women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation is as follows:
Research shows that about 5% of women diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States have an abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, but this is likely a gross underestimation as the data captures mostly non-Hispanic White women.
Gene expression tests are used to learn more about cancer and tailor treatment. A biopsy is performed, and tests look at the patterns of a number of different genes, a process called gene expression profiling.
The patterns found can provide clues that help oncologists predict if certain early-stage breast cancers are likely to come back after initial treatment. They can also help healthcare providers identify certain chemotherapy treatments that will be most effective after breast surgery.
BRCA Mutations and Breast Cancer
No one knows the cause of breast cancer, but there are known risk factors such as:
Some factors like smoking, obesity, and alcohol use are preventable factors, while others like older age, reproductive history, and your genetics are out of your control.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
More research is being done to highlight the many ways you can limit your cancer risk. One area of particular interest is stricter regulation of the ingredients used in cosmetic products.
Some research has even pointed to targeted marketing of cosmetics as one reason for the significant rise in cancer rates among Black women. While more research needs to be done, some scientists believe that the cosmetic products that are often marketed to Black women contain endocrine disruptors—such as hydroquinone, diethyl phthalate (DEP), and even mercury—that may put you at higher risk for cancer.
Cosmetics and Breast Cancer RiskSome of the most worrisome ingredients in cosmetics are in:Skin lightenersHair relaxersBrazilian blowout treatmentsAcrylic nails
Cosmetics and Breast Cancer Risk
Some of the most worrisome ingredients in cosmetics are in:Skin lightenersHair relaxersBrazilian blowout treatmentsAcrylic nails
Some of the most worrisome ingredients in cosmetics are in:
Black women are dying from breast cancer at an alarming rate. The following conclusions from the American Cancer Society’sBreast Cancer Facts & Figures 2019–2020may provide some insight on the crisis at hand:
Some healthcare providers may be hesitant to address breast cancer with Black people when they come in with other conditions.
Health disparities are so pervasive that it may seem as if there are too many conditions to discuss. Remember that you are entitled to information regarding your overall health, not just the condition that brought you in. Open and honest dialogue with your healthcare provider will make it easier to have the discussions you need.
According to a recent study, the three most commonly reported barriers to mammography were fear of cost, fear of mammogram-associated pain, and fear of getting bad news. Systemic problems such as lack of insurance, concerns over the ability to pay, no primary care physician, and biased physician care add another level of difficulty to an already tenuous situation.
Some factors associated with lower mammogram completion rates include:
No Black woman should go without a mammogram, whether there are concerns about pain, bad news, or cost. Going to an appointment with a friend may ease your fears, and many providers will work with you to offset the cost of your mammogram.
More than 30% of Black women do not get their recommended mammograms.More needs to be done to meet this group where they are. Patient reminders via mail and social media, as well as telephone reminders using live callers or automated calls, are excellent ways to raise screening rates. Ask your healthcare professional to provide these services for you if they haven’t already.
A Word From Verywell
A common misconception that some women hold is that only women with a family history of breast cancer are at high risk of having breast cancer. While these women may be at the highest risk, all women are at high risk.
Lifestyle modifications are a great way to improve your overall health, but for many women, prevention and early detection are just as important to living a happy and healthy life. Screening mammography can detect breast cancer at an early stage when treatment is usually less extensive and more likely to be successful.
If you suspect that you have breast cancer or have any questions regarding breast health, contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible to get some peace of mind. Research shows that early detection is associated with a good prognosis, and many women go on to live cancer-free lives.
Frequently Asked QuestionsGuidelines vary, but most recommend starting screening between age 40 and 50. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says women at average risk of breast cancer should have mammograms every other year starting at age 40. Those at higher risk—such as those who have a genetic mutation linked to breast cancer—may need to get screened earlier and more often.Some breast cancer warningsignsto watch out for include a lump in or around the breast, sudden breast swelling, breast dimpling, nipple pain or discharge, change in size or shape of the breast, and pain anywhere in or around the breast.Learn MoreHow Breast Cancer Is DiagnosedIt may be frustrating to hear that the causes of breast cancer remain a mystery. The best way to prevent invasive breast cancer is to get regular recommended screening mammograms.Black women tend to have dense breast tissue, which makes it difficult to spot breast cancer on mammograms. Dense tissue shows up white on mammograms, as do cancer cells, increasing the likelihood of a radiologist missing a tumor. A missed diagnosis can lead to larger tumors and delays in treatment.Learn MoreDense Breasts and Breast Cancer Risk
Guidelines vary, but most recommend starting screening between age 40 and 50. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says women at average risk of breast cancer should have mammograms every other year starting at age 40. Those at higher risk—such as those who have a genetic mutation linked to breast cancer—may need to get screened earlier and more often.
Some breast cancer warningsignsto watch out for include a lump in or around the breast, sudden breast swelling, breast dimpling, nipple pain or discharge, change in size or shape of the breast, and pain anywhere in or around the breast.Learn MoreHow Breast Cancer Is Diagnosed
Some breast cancer warningsignsto watch out for include a lump in or around the breast, sudden breast swelling, breast dimpling, nipple pain or discharge, change in size or shape of the breast, and pain anywhere in or around the breast.
Learn MoreHow Breast Cancer Is Diagnosed
It may be frustrating to hear that the causes of breast cancer remain a mystery. The best way to prevent invasive breast cancer is to get regular recommended screening mammograms.
Black women tend to have dense breast tissue, which makes it difficult to spot breast cancer on mammograms. Dense tissue shows up white on mammograms, as do cancer cells, increasing the likelihood of a radiologist missing a tumor. A missed diagnosis can lead to larger tumors and delays in treatment.Learn MoreDense Breasts and Breast Cancer Risk
Black women tend to have dense breast tissue, which makes it difficult to spot breast cancer on mammograms. Dense tissue shows up white on mammograms, as do cancer cells, increasing the likelihood of a radiologist missing a tumor. A missed diagnosis can lead to larger tumors and delays in treatment.
Learn MoreDense Breasts and Breast Cancer Risk
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Reproductive history and cancer risk. National Cancer Institute.Victora CG, Bahl R, Barros AJ, et al.Breastfeeding in the 21st century: epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect.Lancet.2016;387(10017):475-90. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01024-7Shiovitz S, Korde LA.Genetics of breast cancer: a topic in evolution.Ann Oncol. 2015;26(7):1291-1299. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdv022Rosendahl A, Bergqvist M, Lettiero B, Kimbung S, Borgquist S.Adipocytes and obesity-related conditions jointly promote breast cancer cell growth and motility: associations with CAP1 for prognosis.Front Endocrinol(Lausanne).2018;9. doi:10.3389/fendo.2018.00689Konduracka E, Krzemieniecki K, Gajos G.Relationship between everyday use cosmetics and female breast cancer.Pol Arch Med Wewn. 2014;124(5):264-269. doi:10.20452/pamw.2257Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer.Menarche, menopause, and breast cancer risk: individual participant meta-analysis, including 118,964 women with breast cancer from 117 epidemiological studies.Lancet Oncol.2012;13(11):1141-51. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(12)70425-4Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M, et al. (eds).SEER cancer statistics review, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, based on SEER data submission, posted to the SEER web site.US Preventive Services Task Force, Nicholson WK, Silverstein M, et al.Screening for breast cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.JAMA. Published online April 30, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.5534Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of Breast Cancer.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Reproductive history and cancer risk. National Cancer Institute.Victora CG, Bahl R, Barros AJ, et al.Breastfeeding in the 21st century: epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect.Lancet.2016;387(10017):475-90. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01024-7Shiovitz S, Korde LA.Genetics of breast cancer: a topic in evolution.Ann Oncol. 2015;26(7):1291-1299. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdv022Rosendahl A, Bergqvist M, Lettiero B, Kimbung S, Borgquist S.Adipocytes and obesity-related conditions jointly promote breast cancer cell growth and motility: associations with CAP1 for prognosis.Front Endocrinol(Lausanne).2018;9. doi:10.3389/fendo.2018.00689Konduracka E, Krzemieniecki K, Gajos G.Relationship between everyday use cosmetics and female breast cancer.Pol Arch Med Wewn. 2014;124(5):264-269. doi:10.20452/pamw.2257Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer.Menarche, menopause, and breast cancer risk: individual participant meta-analysis, including 118,964 women with breast cancer from 117 epidemiological studies.Lancet Oncol.2012;13(11):1141-51. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(12)70425-4Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M, et al. (eds).SEER cancer statistics review, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, based on SEER data submission, posted to the SEER web site.US Preventive Services Task Force, Nicholson WK, Silverstein M, et al.Screening for breast cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.JAMA. Published online April 30, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.5534Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of Breast Cancer.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Cancer Institute.Reproductive history and cancer risk. National Cancer Institute.Victora CG, Bahl R, Barros AJ, et al.Breastfeeding in the 21st century: epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect.Lancet.2016;387(10017):475-90. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01024-7Shiovitz S, Korde LA.Genetics of breast cancer: a topic in evolution.Ann Oncol. 2015;26(7):1291-1299. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdv022Rosendahl A, Bergqvist M, Lettiero B, Kimbung S, Borgquist S.Adipocytes and obesity-related conditions jointly promote breast cancer cell growth and motility: associations with CAP1 for prognosis.Front Endocrinol(Lausanne).2018;9. doi:10.3389/fendo.2018.00689Konduracka E, Krzemieniecki K, Gajos G.Relationship between everyday use cosmetics and female breast cancer.Pol Arch Med Wewn. 2014;124(5):264-269. doi:10.20452/pamw.2257Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer.Menarche, menopause, and breast cancer risk: individual participant meta-analysis, including 118,964 women with breast cancer from 117 epidemiological studies.Lancet Oncol.2012;13(11):1141-51. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(12)70425-4Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M, et al. (eds).SEER cancer statistics review, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, based on SEER data submission, posted to the SEER web site.US Preventive Services Task Force, Nicholson WK, Silverstein M, et al.Screening for breast cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.JAMA. Published online April 30, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.5534Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of Breast Cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Reproductive history and cancer risk. National Cancer Institute.
Victora CG, Bahl R, Barros AJ, et al.Breastfeeding in the 21st century: epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect.Lancet.2016;387(10017):475-90. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01024-7
Shiovitz S, Korde LA.Genetics of breast cancer: a topic in evolution.Ann Oncol. 2015;26(7):1291-1299. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdv022
Rosendahl A, Bergqvist M, Lettiero B, Kimbung S, Borgquist S.Adipocytes and obesity-related conditions jointly promote breast cancer cell growth and motility: associations with CAP1 for prognosis.Front Endocrinol(Lausanne).2018;9. doi:10.3389/fendo.2018.00689
Konduracka E, Krzemieniecki K, Gajos G.Relationship between everyday use cosmetics and female breast cancer.Pol Arch Med Wewn. 2014;124(5):264-269. doi:10.20452/pamw.2257
Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer.Menarche, menopause, and breast cancer risk: individual participant meta-analysis, including 118,964 women with breast cancer from 117 epidemiological studies.Lancet Oncol.2012;13(11):1141-51. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(12)70425-4
Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M, et al. (eds).SEER cancer statistics review, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, based on SEER data submission, posted to the SEER web site.
US Preventive Services Task Force, Nicholson WK, Silverstein M, et al.Screening for breast cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.JAMA. Published online April 30, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.5534
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of Breast Cancer.
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