10 Things we know now about breast cancer (that we didn’t know 10 years ago)

Breast cancer risk is linked to mutated genes

A woman's risk of developing breast (or ovarian) cancer is greatly increased if she inherits a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Approximately 60 percent of women with an inherited mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 will develop breast cancer sometime during their lives, compared to just 12 percent of women in the general population. Genetic tests are available to check for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations.

Targeted drugs can improve survival rates

New targeted agents, such as Herceptin, have improved the survival rate of women with advanced stages of breast cancer. Tamoxifen and other targeted drugs can also help reduce the risk of developing cancer in women who are considered high risk.

Active women are at a reduced risk

To help reduce the risk of breast cancer, the American Cancer Society recommends moderate to vigorous activity for 45 to 60 minutes on at least five days a week. In the past, most recommendations were for 30 minutes of moderate exercise several days a week.

Family history of breast cancer doesn't mean you'll get it

Only 20 to 30 percent of people who get breast cancer have a family history of the disease. Though genetics do play a role, it doesn't mean that you are destined to get breast cancer just because of your family history.

High breast density increases risk

If you have dense breasts, cells grow at a faster rate — meaning that there's more chance that some may become cancerous or abnormal. Talk to your doctor and find out if you have dense breasts. If you do, you may need to switch from a traditional mammogram to a different breast imaging procedure.

You may not need five weeks of treatment

According to the American Cancer Society, "Studies have shown that giving radiation over three weeks seems to work about as well as the standard five-week course. Other studies are looking at giving even larger daily doses over an even shorter time, such as a week."

Higher BMI may reduce chemotherapy response

According to research reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2008, overweight and obese patients have a reduced likelihood of chemotherapy response than normal-weight patients.

Lumpectomy is becoming the most common approach

In decades gone by, a mastectomy was normally the preferred procedure to treat breast cancer. Now, breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) followed by local radiation therapy has replaced mastectomy as the preferred approach in early stages.

Vitamin D may be linked to breast cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, "A recent study found that women with early stage breast cancer who had low levels of vitamin D were more likely to have their cancer come back in a distant part of the body and had a poorer outlook."

Breast cancer classification promises better therapies

Researchers recently devised 10 categories for breast cancer tumors. This is an important step toward targeting treatments more precisely for patients. The study about this research was published by the journal Nature in April 2012.

More from SheKnows Cares

How your strides can save lives
Tips for organizing local fundraisers
Breast cancer survivor stories