Breast cancer is second only to skin cancer as the most common type of cancer in American women. The rate of breast cancer has been on the rise. But there is good news. The death rate from breast cancer has declined. This decline is due to early detection, when treatment may be most effective.

According to Betty Brown, Clinical Coordinator of Western Baptist Hospital’s Women’s Center, identifying one’s risk factors is crucial. “As a woman, you have a one-in-eight chance of developing breast cancer during your lifetime,” says Brown. “The best protection you have against breast cancer or overcoming it lies in identifying your risk factors and being proactive about your health.”

Brown says that women are at a higher risk for breast cancer if they:

• have a personal or family history of breast cancer
• carry a gene mutation
• have been diagnosed with another type of breast disease
• gave birth after age 30 or never gave birth to a child
• have at least 75 percent dense breast tissue at age 45 or older
• had chest radiation therapy younger than age 30 to treat a condition.

Some studies have pointed to other factors, such as:

• weight gain after menopause
• drinking alcohol
• a sedentary lifestyle
• early menstruation
• late menopause
• contact with pesticides and other pollutants
• hormone therapy.

“Some breast cancer risk factors are beyond a woman’s control,” says Brown. “But, early detection can increase a woman’s treatment options and chances of survival.”

Research has shown that mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer in its early stages. These screenings can find a tumor up to two years before a lump can be felt. The American Cancer Society recommends that women age 40 and older have a mammogram and clinical breast exam every year. However, you should talk to your doctor about what’s right for you. If you have a high risk for the disease, your doctor may recommend earlier or more frequent screening. Your doctor also can help you decide how often to do breast self-exams.