Many factors have been identified as possible causes of breast cancer over the years, though scientists now believe they have found the two most likely reasons why people develop the disease.

Aside from being born with hereditary breast cancer, specialists at the Universite de Montreal believe that being overweight and smoking have a huge effect on whether a woman develops the condition, which affects over 45,000 people year in the UK.

Healthcare experts at the facility conducted a study of test subjects and found a direct correlation between breast cancer, smoking and being overweight.

This was achieved by analysing whether the patients had the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations and shows that cancer cover holders should avoid these two risk factors, said lead researcher Vishnee Bissonauth.

The expert, who is a graduate of the Universite de Montreal's Department of Nutrition and a researcher at the Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, said the team focused solely on lifestyle factors when considering the information they had collected.

"To our knowledge, this is the first study conducted on a sample of women without BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, which are often found in French-Canadian women," she explained.

According to the research, smoking a pack of 20 cigarettes every day for nine years increases breast cancer risk by 59 per cent.

In addition, women who put on more than 10kgs in weight after the age of 30 are twice as likely to develop the disease than those whose body mass remains stable.

The investigation also found that moderate physical activity decreased cancer risks by 52 per cent for pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women, with Dr Bissonauth saying this illustrates the need for breast cancer insurance customers to exercise frequently.

"Cancer is a complex disease and can be latent for several years. Therefore, it is important to work on the factors we can control and to lead a healthy lifestyle, which means watching one's weight, avoid smoking and doing regular exercise," she advised.


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Rarely a day goes by without a fundraising event for breast cancer taking place somewhere in the country and women often participate in fun runs and similar activities in their thousands in honour of friends and family.
 
However, these ladies may not be aware that they themselves may be suffering from the condition, according to one sector expert.
 
Arlene Wilkie, director of research and policy at the Breast Cancer Campaign, said that the key to identifying the disease is for women to first ensure they are familiar with the look and feel of their breasts.
 
Familiarising themselves with their appearance may then lead to rapid identification of any lumps or other warning signs of the disease, she stated.
 
The expert advised that breast cancer insurance customers should also make sure their family and friends know these vital procedures, in order to reduce their risk of suffering from the condition.
 
"Understand how your breasts may change at different times during the month, when you are having your period and as you get older," she recommended.
 
Ms Wilkie also pointed to recent research reported in the Daily Express which suggested that healthcare experts may have found a 'cure for cancer'.
 
According to the publication, the findings show that a new form of treatment may be able to target the molecules which help cancer to spread through the body.
 
Developing a drug to stop the spread is now possible, the scientists say, which could potentially prevent 90 per cent of deaths from the condition.
 
Ms Wilkie said the research is "very interesting" and may offer hope to sufferers, but pointed out that it is currently in its early stages.
 
"It could be many years before people with breast cancer will see the benefits. We are certainly a long way away from a new treatment for oestrogen positive breast cancer," she commented.


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For years, experts have been advising people to stick to a healthy diet and exercise in order to minimise their risk of developing deadly diseases.

Now, however, there seems to be conclusive proof that adopting a healthy lifestyle is the key to avoiding fatal conditions such as breast cancer.

A study carried out by World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and Imperial College London found that thousands of women could help to reduce their risk of developing the disease, which kills 12,000 Brits a year by making simple changes.

According to the specialists who conducted the study, which was the largest of its kind ever conducted, breast cancer insurance customers should follow a diet of lean foods and low amounts of alcohol to minimise their risk.

In addition, they can help to protect themselves further by doing 30 minutes of exercise a day, said professor Martin Wiseman, a WRCF medical and scientific adviser who helped with the investigation.

"We are now more sure than ever that by limiting the amount of alcohol that they drink, maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active, women can make a significant difference to their risk," he explained.

According to the specialist, as many as four out of every ten cases of breast cancer cases could be completely prevented if all women adhered to this regimen.

In addition, the expert found that women who breastfeed after giving birth may also be helping to reduce their chances of developing breast cancer.

"Breastfeeding probably also reduces babies' chances of gaining excess weight as they grow," he added.

In other results from the survey, cancer cover holders were informed that drinking as little as one large glass of red wine a day can increase the chance of developing breast cancer by 20 per cent.


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