Breast cancer is a malignant cell proliferation that originates in the mammary gland.

Breast cancer can be diagnosed today in the early stages (those in which no symptoms have yet been noticed). Mammography has been shown to be the most effective test for early detection of this cancer.

The following risk factors are considered:

· Age, so that the risk increases with it, and is the main risk factor.

· Personal history of breast cancer.

· Personal history of benign proliferations of the breast.

· Have a high breast density on mammograms.

· First-degree family history of breast cancer.

· Genetic mutations that increase risk.

· Early menarche, late menopause or absence of pregnancy.

· Use of hormone replacement therapy as well as the combination of estrogen and progesterone after menopause.

· Exposure to ionizing radiation, especially during puberty, and hereditary mutations related to this cancer.

· Alcohol consumption.

· Obesity.

We can all contribute in biomedical research progress. If you wish you can donate the left over material after diagnosis obtained during the treatment process (blood samples, biological liquids and tissue) for carrying out biomedical research without causing you any additional inconvenience. There is a network of biobanks managing human biological samples for biomedical research.