by Playfuls Staff |
9th October 2006
According to results recently published in the European
Journal of Cancer, young women have a poor understanding of lifestyle and
genetic risk factors involved in the development of breast cancer. [more]
It is estimated that one in eight women in the United States
will be diagnosed with breast cancer within their lifetime. Due to the
prevalence of this disease, researchers have been trying to educate the public
about certain risk factors that may increase or decrease a woman’s risk of
developing breast cancer. The goal is to influence women to make appropriate
lifestyle choices or undergo screening measure if they are at a high risk of
developing the disease. Young women can benefit the most from knowing about
risk factors for breast cancer because these factors are present during their
entire lifetime.
Researchers recently conducted an international survey
among female university students regarding risk factors associated with the
development of breast cancer. This study included students from 23 countries
between 1999 and 2001.
* 57% of women
were aware of a genetic link to breast cancer.
* Only 5% were
aware that alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, and obesity contributed to an
increased risk of developing breast cancer.
* Participants
often named factors that have not demonstrated an association with risks of
breast cancer.
The researchers concluded that many younger women do not
understand specific risk factors and their role in the development of breast
cancer. Women in the United
States had a better understanding of these
risk factors than women from other countries; however, it is remains important
for the public to understand specific risk factors, particularly those that can
be affected by lifestyle, for developing various types of cancer.
