What is breast cancer?4 min read

What causes breast cancer

There is no single cause of breast cancer. It appears when several factors — genetic, hormonal and lifestyle — combine. Understanding this helps separate fear from fact.

Breast cancer starts with damage to the DNA of a breast cell. This damage is usually the result of a mixture of inherited predispositions, hormones over time and everyday exposures.

What influences cancer development

  • Inherited gene changes (such as BRCA1, BRCA2)
  • Hormonal history — how long you were exposed to oestrogen
  • The build-up of age-related cell damage
  • Lifestyle factors such as weight, activity and alcohol
  • Random errors that happen as cells copy themselves

It is important to know: many things you may have heard are not causes. Stress, underwired bras, antiperspirants, caffeine, mobile phones and breast injuries do not cause breast cancer.

In brief

There is no single cause
Inherited gene changes explain only a minority of cases
Common myths are not supported by science

What you can do

Focus on what you control

A healthy lifestyle modestly reduces risk.

Dismiss unproven fears

Follow medical recommendations, not internet rumours.

Keep learning

Breast cancer risk factorsAwarenessOther genes linked to breast cancerAwarenessMyths and factsAwareness