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Breast Cancer/General question about breast cancer
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Question
Hi, can you tell me why the risk of breast cancer increases as you get older? All the information I have read says the risk is greater the older you are but doesn't actually say why. Also, does having a hysterectomy in your early 40s decrease the risk of breast cancer later in life?
thank you
Actually the risk of most cancers (but not all) increases with age. This has to do with the fact that exposure to carcinogenic factors including the risk of genetic mutations will increase with age. If the ovaries were removed and no hormonal replacement was given (probably unlikely) there may be some decrease but probably not a big one. Otherwise not.
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Answers by Expert:
Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.
Expertise
I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.
Experience
I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.
I also answer questions about
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I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.
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