Family history of breast cancer? 7 things you should consider...

According to new research presented at the American Association for Cancer Research meeting, a person's family history plays a big role in predicting breast cancer risk. A "strong family history" can increase one's risk of breast cancer by almost four times, which means that the lifetime risk of breast cancer is 30 to 40 percent greater than that of the average woman's 12 percent risk.

But what exactly constitutes a "strong family history"? Some experts say that a strong family history can be defined as having two or more first degree relatives (i.e., mother, sister, daughter) who were diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 50 or having three or more close relatives who were diagnosed at any age. If this sounds like your family's history, you may want to consider visiting a high-risk breast cancer center in your area. It might also be wise to talk to your doctor about extensive screening and preventative measures, including:

1. Tamoxifen
Antiestrogen dugs like tamoxifen or raloxifene have been proven to reduce your risk of breast cancer from 40 to 20 percent. It is important to note that tamoxifen puts you into menopause while you're taking it, so it's not a good option if you're planning to conceive soon. Also, raloxifene is only prescribed to post-menopausal women.

2. Breast Screening MRI
An MRI is more successful at detecting tumors in dense breast tissue. If your family members were diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40, your doctor may want to start this type of screening on you at age 30. It is important to understand that this test is extremely sensitive and may prompt your doctor to perform a biopsy for an abnormality that turns out to be benign.

3. Prophylactic Mastectomy
This procedure involves surgically removing both of your breasts to prevent breast cancer and decreases your risk of breast cancer by 90%. While this option is extreme for most cases, some women may want to consider it. 

4. Healthy Body Weight
Body fat produces estrogen, and an excess amount of fat around the abdomen brings about hormonal changes that make breast tissue more susceptible to the bad effects of estrogen. It is recommended that you maintain a body mass index (BMI) of below 25 and a waist circumference of no more than 35 inches.

5. Regular Mamograms
If you're 40 years of age or older, you should schedule a mamogram every year. While a mamogram is not the best screening tool, it does reduce the breast cancer mortality rate by 30 percent.

6. Avoid Alcohol
People who drink one to two drinks daily have a 32 percent greater risk of breast cancer, and people who drink three or more drinks daily have a 51 percent greater risk than those who don't drink at all.

7. Exercise
New research indicates that vigorous activity slims your chances of breast cancer by 30 percent. Engaging in activities such as scrubbing floors, raking leaves, and brisk walking for at least 30 minutes a day can lower levels of estrogens, cutting off the fuel that makes breast tumors grow.