Dr. Baron on Contributing Factors for Developing Breast Cancer

Paul Lawrence Baron, MD, chief, Breast Surgery, director, Breast Cancer Program, Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health, discusses contributing factors for developing breast cancer.

Individuals who are at a high risk of developing breast cancer include those who have inherited genes, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, which increase their risk of breast cancer, Baron explains. Additionally, people with a family history of breast cancer who do not have confirmed genetic mutations have a heightened risk as well. 

Other characteristics of individuals with a high risk of developing breast cancer include those with a previous history of radiation to their chest, those in which a prior biopsy revealed atypical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ, or those with dense breast tissue, Baron says.

Ultimately, all patients with a high risk of developing breast cancer require close monitoring to identify breast cancer early, Baron concludes.