LITTLE ROCK -- October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Baptist Health is encouraging women to recognize their risk for breast cancer by taking its free risk assessment to learn more about their risk factors at BaptistHealthMammo.com.
"Being a woman is the main risk factor for breast cancer, but there are several other important factors to consider," a news release said.
"It's important for women to be proactive about their health, and the most important thing that can be done to prevent breast cancer is to get a yearly mammogram starting at age 40."
Risk factors for breast cancer include the following:
• Being older than 55 years old.
• Having a close relative who had breast cancer.
• Having a BRCA gene mutation.
• Having dense breast tissue.
• Having your first period before age 12.
• Going through menopause after age 55.
• Taking combined hormone therapy for menopause.
• Using birth control pills in the last 10 years.
• Getting little or no exercise.
• Having your first child over age 30.
For women concerned about developing cancer due to multiple risk factors, Baptist Health High Risk Breast and Hereditary Cancer Clinic at 9500 Kanis Road, Suite 250, in Little Rock also offers the support needed to make informed decisions promoting early detection and risk reduction.