Background
Breast cancer is estimated to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2019. Increasing knowledge and understanding of the risk factors for breast cancer is important to help identify those most at risk. In addition, there are important prevention messages to be communicated, as even comparatively small modifications in risk factors can substantially reduce breast cancer incidence at the population level. There is also a need to dispel ‘myths’.
Methods
Epidemiological evidence for over 90 potential risk factors for breast cancer was reviewed. A systematic process was followed to classify the strength of evidence for each factor and a best estimate of risk was identified for factors where the evidence was sufficiently strong. Input from epidemiological experts, health professionals, risk communication experts, and consumers, guided the translation of the evidence into website information for 68 factors considered to be of community interest. The primary audience for the website information is women in the community, and secondary audiences are clinicians, researchers and media. Contextual information and an infographic are included.
Results
In December 2018, Cancer Australia published the technical report, Risk factors for breast cancer: A review of the evidence, and launched the Breast Cancer Risk Factors (BCRF) website. Factors are categorised as personal, family history and genetics, reproductive, lifestyle, medical history and medications, and environmental. Thirty-nine factors are identified as risk factors, 7 are protective, and 22 are unproven or unlikely to be associated with breast cancer risk. Eight factors are highlighted as modifiable.
Conclusions
The BCRF website is a contemporary digital resource containing up-to-date, evidence-based information that is readily accessible and relevant to a variety of audiences. It may help initiate a dialogue on the topic between women and healthcare providers, lead to favourable changes in lifestyle behaviours, and assist accurate reporting of the evidence.