The Effects of Lifestyle Risk Factors on Reducing BRCA 1/2 Carriers Breast Cancer Risk

Abstract

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the US. About one in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and about 250,000 of those women are under the age of 40. While the causes of breast cancer are not completely known, important contributing factors include genetics, lifestyle factors, and diet. 

Alcohol is a common cause of cancer because ethanol and acetaldehyde cause DNA to replicate incorrectly (“Diet and Breast Cancer”). Additionally, people who are overweight  have a higher chance of getting breast cancer at an older age because their estrogen levels are higher than others. Oral contraceptives and other hormonal birth control methods can increase one’s risk for breast cancer due to changes in hormone levels as well. Lastly, stress can cause cancer due to the behavioral responses people have to stress. For example, stress can lead to overconsumption of food and alcohol, which can increase the risk of getting cancer.

Genetics also account for a portion of breast cancer diagnoses. Specifically, chances of breast cancer are heightened with individuals who inherit a mutated BRCA gene (BReast CAncer gene). Everyone is born with two types of BRCA genes (BRCA 1 and 2) in every cell of their body. BRCA1 and BRCA2 function as tumor suppressor genes which repair DNA, and prevent cancerous changes in the cells (“Inherited Cancer Risk: BRCA Mutation”). Inheriting mutated/damaged copies of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes can increase the risk for breast cancer and ovarian cancer in women due to the decreased tumor suppressant capacity. Specifically, BRCA mutation carriers have a 70% chance of getting breast cancer before the age of 80. This chance is about 53% higher than the general population.