Scientists Reveal Why Breast Cancer Risk Spikes at a Very Specific Time in Life
Breast cancer generates a lot of headlines in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but many people don't have the luxury of only thinking about it once a year. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the U.S. and an estimated one in eight women will get it.
Here's the good news: Breast cancer death rates have been steadily decreasing since 1989. The big reason why? Earlier detection. As with other forms of cancer, detecting this one early is key to a good outcome.
With this in mind, you're probably wondering what the breast cancer screening guidelines are. It's recommended that women of average risk between the ages of 40 and 75 get a mammogram (which serves as a way to screen for breast cancer) once every two years. If you are at increased risk for breast cancer (due to a family history of it, for example), talk to your doctor about being screened earlier.
It can also be helpful to know when breast cancer risk is at its peak. Recently, researchers at the University of Cambridge and the University of British Columbia created the most advanced map to date showing how breast tissue changes with age, and how this impacts breast cancer risk. Parade talked to experts about this new research as well as other factors that impact risk as we age.
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The Lifestage With the Highest Risk of Breast Cancer
Recently published in the journal Nature, scientists created a map showing how breast tissue changes as women age. They found that as women get older, the number of cells in breast tissue decreases, with the most dramatic changes happening during menopause.
Dr. Kyle Bowers, MD,a general and breast surgeon with AdventHealth, explains that the reason why breast tissue decreases with age is that, as women age, circulating hormone levels decrease. When this happens, he says epithelial cells, including the glands that produce milk, can shrink and decrease. Over time, the body may replace some of this tissue with fatty tissue.
"Stromal cells, which provide the structural support of the breast, can also decrease in number, contributing to lower breast density and age-related changes in breast shape. Without the same level of cellular stimulation, the cell cycle also slows, and cells may not receive signals to divide as often as they would in younger tissue," Dr. Bowers explains as to why there is less turnover in breast tissue cells.
Related: 'I Had Zero Symptoms When I Was Diagnosed With Breast Cancer at 39-Here's What I Wish I'd Known'
This is where the increase in breast cancer risk comes in. Dr. Marleen Meyers, MD, an oncologist at NYU Langone, explains that stromal disruption (tissue around the breast cells) can be associated with an increased risk of more aggressive cancer. "It is the microenvironment, not age alone, that may determine how likely the breast is to develop an aggressive cancer," she says.
Dr. Anupama Saigal, MD, a breast surgical oncologist with AdventHealth, tells Parade that the study shows that aging is not simply a loss of cells. "It is a more complex change in the tissue around breast cells, including changes in immune cells, connective tissue and the way cells send signals to one another," she says.
Other Changes That Impact Breast Cancer Risk
Besides the changes in breast tissue, other changes can happen during menopause that increase the risk of breast cancer. Dr. Bowers says that weight gain and long-term hormone replacement therapy (taking place longer than five years) may also increase the risk.
Dr. Saigal adds to this, saying that the body can accumulate genetic mutations simply as a result of aging, and this, too can increase the risk of breast cancer. "Together, these age-related changes may contribute to cancer development. That is why breast health should be viewed as part of whole health, including movement, nutrition, sleep, stress, preventive care and regular conversations with a clinician," she emphasizes.
Related: 'I'm a Breast Oncologist-This Is the One Food I Wish Women Over 50 Would Eat Less Of'
While the new study provides an interesting look at how breast tissue changes over time, Dr. Saigal says that it doesn't change the screening guidelines or treatment recommendations. What it does do is give researchers a better understanding of why breast cancer risk increases over time and how the tissue around breast cells may contribute to the disease.
How To Lower Your Risk of Breast Cancer During and After Menopause
"While no strategy can completely eliminate breast cancer risk, women can take several evidence-based steps to reduce it," Dr. Saigal says. She says that the best way to do this is to focus on what you can do to support your overall metabolic health.
This comes down to all of the habits you likely already know are important for supporting your health. All three doctors say that maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, exercising regularly and limiting alcohol consumption can all help lower the risk of breast cancer.
Since weight gain becomes more common during and after menopause, maintaining a healthy weight may take more effort than when you were younger. If you're struggling to maintain a healthy weight, talk to your doctor about it. They may recommend a medication that can help, such as a GLP-1.
As mentioned before, it's also important to stay on top of breast cancer screenings. Especially if breast cancer runs in your family, talk to your doctor about what you can do to stay vigilant.
No one can control their health entirely, but there is a lot you can do to protect yourself from breast cancer. Don't underestimate the power of maintaining healthy habits and staying on top of cancer screenings.
Up Next:
Sources
- Key Statistics for Breast Cancer. American Cancer Society.
- Breast Cancer: Screening. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
- Aging reshapes breast tissue creating environment favorable for cancer. News Medical.
- Dr. Kyle Bowers, MD, general and breast surgeon with AdventHealth.
- Dr. Marleen Meyers, MD, oncologist at NYU Langone.
- Dr. Anupama Saigal, MD, breast surgical oncologist with AdventHealth.
- Hanusek, K., Karczmarski, J., Litwiniuk, A., et al. (2022). Obesity as a Risk Factor for Breast Cancer-The Role of miRNA. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 23(24):15683.
- Micha, J. P., Rettenmaier, M. A., Bohart, R. D., et al. (2022). Hormone Therapy and Risk of Breast Cancer: Where Are We Now?Journal of Menopausal Medicine. 28(2):47-51.
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This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 7:50 AM.