Yes. We previously saw the risk of breast cancer increasing with age, with peak incidences being in 40-70 year olds. But recent statistics have shown a spike in confirmed breast cancer cases in younger women. The type of breast cancer in these young women seem to be more aggressive, and their overall survival rates are lower.

A- There are a few well-known risk factors:
• Older age is still a risk factor, although there is a rise in the number of breast cancer cases seen in women less than 40
• Prolonged oestrogen exposure-
i. early age at starting menstruation and late age of menopause
ii. chronic use of hormone replacement therapies and certain oral contraceptives
• A family history of breast cancer and ovarian cancer
• Reproductive history-
i. nulliparity (not giving birth to any children)
ii. older age of first pregnancy
• A personal history of breast issues (lumps, previous cancer, previous breast intervention)
• Obesity in older age groups
• A sedentary lifestyle, very little physical activity
• Excessive alcohol intake

Yes. Male cases contribute around 1% of the total breast cancer cases every year. This is because men also have breast tissue, albeit in much less quantities. Male breast cancer patients are more likely to have a family history of breast and ovarian cancer. Conditions that lead to abnormally higher levels of oestrogen in the man increase the risk of breast cancer, such as liver disease and obesity.