I think that it does contribute, with women it's breast cancer,but  our lifestyle will increase the chances of all cancers.It's rather scary when you see what young women and girls drink these days on nights out,oh and the guys too.Alcohol is after all a poison really to our systems.Junk food too with all the fats and additives.

Sproooot one of my closest friends was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 35 - she wasn't obese, didn't smoke and hardly drank. She was given the all clear a couple of years ago.

So, I'm really not sure whether anything can really prevent it.

Of course, we should all look after our weight, watch our alcohol intake etc etc but I'm not sure what good it really does

All I will say Sprout, is that I am sick and tired of being told what to eat and drink and how much exercise I should be taking and how bloody fat and lazy and stupid we all are and how horrible our kids are and generally what effing losers we all are.  Everything we do (and don't do,) seems to be bad for us. 

Quite honestly, I just bloody do what I want now, as I am sick of being told what to do by know-alls who think they have to tell us all how to live.  Breast cancer - like any cancer is a terrible terrible thing, but FFS, making us think that if we're a bit podgy or drink a few too many glasses of wine a week is going to increase our chances of breast cancer just pisses me off.  Has anyone got any actual PROOF of this? 

Wouldn't surprise me if we were told in 3 years that drinking more and being overweight LESSENS the chances of cancer.  All the 'advice' and 'medical facts' that we seem to be force-fed seems to alter every few years.  i take no notice of anything now and just live my life the way I want to, and refuse to listen to any pious, post grads with no experience of f**k all, who think they know more than me.. 

My sisters daughter is 22 ,she doesn't think it's a good night out unless she and her mates get bladdered. They drink shots...strong drinks that are necked down in one ,then they have a long drink etc.She is quite  tall and built like a rake,she's cabin crew with Ryanair.She's about a size 6/8 ,her system  ain't built for that,Will she listen to her mum or me...nah!

Yes, you've got a point Katty. What makes me sad is....yes I can drink, but I know when to stop and I never get myself into such a state as some of these young girls appear to, and I wonder what's to become of them really 

I'm not sure Sprout, my cousin had it and she didn't smoke, drinks socially and is a size 10. Although I do think our lifestyles have a lot of bearing help our health, I try now to lead a healthier lifestyle than I used too.

Har,I drink (too much at times) I'm no preacher.However at that age we nursed a lager or a voddy with orange juice in a small glass for ages.We didn't neck them down in a race etc.I never got to the falling out of taxis stage like they do now .

See, I tend to think you're right, and then someone comes up with something different. So much conflicting stuff out there 

Folk get cancer that don't smoke,drink etc,however it will increase your chances if you do.Lung cancer victims are 80 to 90% smokers.I don't think that is a scaremongering fact.

I'm thinking of cutting down on the grape juice

Me either Katty. I've only ever been in that state once (had to be put to bed at brother's wife's sisters party) that was years ago though and I swore never again, and I've kept to it. Yes I can drink, but never to the point where I've lost control completely

Sparkles I tend to agree with you - am fed up of being told one thing & then another !

We have an aging population and the risk of breast cancer increase with age.
More cases are being picked up but they are being picked up earlier and the opportunities for successful treatments  are much greater.There are more cases of breast cancer but the number of deaths continue to fall.

I'm making an appointment with the doctors on Monday, my left breast has been hurting me since christmas and i thought i would wait and see if it was just pain before my period but it still hurts, i've had a feel around and can't feel anything different but ir's better too be safe than sorry, i'm not overweight but i do smoke and drink

Just re-read Sparkles post and tend to agree with it.   I wonder, is it a generation thing though? is it.....the 'oldies' know best'   as I said, so much conflicting stuff  

Yes Aims, please do.  With any luck it won't be any thing to worry about  the thing is, you've got in early 

Ladies go for your smears,mammograms etc when called.I know mammograms are for the over 50's I had one a couple of years ago.They say Younger breast tissue is denser so mammograms don't work so well.However if it's in your family etc,I'm sure folks doctors etc will advise.
Also self  breast examination should be done regularly, there are health sites out there that will instruct you how.

Actually, I've just had my first letter to go for a screening, I think it happens when you turn 50 as I just have, allthough the girl I work with is younger than me and she had to go before me 

I had my first at 40, they were doing a survey here at the time, it continued for three years then our hospital cancelled it. I think they are lowering the age to 47 Sprout.

Family history maybe sprout.The screening is fine,a little discomfort, no major pain and it's literally done in five minutes for three years peace of mind.Though you do still examine yourself between screening.

Katty, I'm on your wavelength.  Two of my aunties have had it........both are leading next to normal lives  and I regularly check what I have got 
Also a routine smear lead (led) me to have a full hysterectomy five years ago. Wasn't cancer but cysts the size of small melons

That may be because she has a tender breast or maybe breast cancer runs in her family Sprout ?

Possibly Slimmy, I'm not sure. She didn't mention anything

Ah the wonderful colposcopy clinic..been there too. Though I was checked out for post menopausal bleeding.I was peri menopausal at 44..poo! Went on HRT for five years max,then came off it.Had a camera etc up there and a sample taken,some womb polyps had "calcified " a possible danger sign.However samples taken ,turned out benign.All this in the stirrups etc with me saying blithely saying "Carry on".I'm not shy..
However the menopause symptoms are still with me.HRT helps your bones etc but it merely postpones the night sweats etc.

I asked my doc "How long does the menopause last?" she stated "How long is a piece of string!"   Sighs.

Does anyone know if pain in the breast means anything? it's not a serious pain just uncoftamble (sp) when lying down

That's the good thing though,  they kept an eye on you 

Question: I'm worried I might have breast cancer. What are the signs?

Answer: Often there are no outward signs of breast cancer that you can see or feel. If there are outward signs, the more common ones include a lump, an area of thickening, or a dimple in the breast. Less common signs include breast swelling and redness or an enlarged underarm lymph node.

But even if you have one or more of these signs, it still doesn't mean you have breast cancer. Remember that most breast lumps turn out to be benign (not cancerous).

Still, it's extremely important that you SEE YOUR DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY if you're worried that you might have breast cancer. Having your doctor take a look will ease your worry, and if anything is found, you'll be able to take care of it quickly.

Physical examination of the breast is one way to find breast cancer. You can read about other screening methods for detecting breast cancer in our Screening & Testing section.

To find out whether specific symptoms are associated with breast cancer, read the Breastcancer.org experts' answers to common questions about:

• lumps
• nipple changes
• cysts
• breast pain

You can also learn how to perform breast self-examination.

And you can read more about the risk factors for breast cancer.

Aimee you sound worried so its best to go and see your DR to put your mind at rest.

I don't know Aimee, but don't go looking around on the net. To my mind that just scares people. Go and see your doc  I'd rather speak to someone face to face 

Thanks Sprout and Erin i was just asking, i will phone the docs on Monday, hopefully it's nothing too worry about, with it being in the press today it just makes you think about it all the more

get it checked Aimee for your own piece of mind. i had an abnormal smear and had treatment just had another smear thats clear and hospital happy to leave me for a year now.
its probably nothing at all Aimee but do it(go to doctor)  just for you.

Thanks Justa (hugs) i will, it's when you see it all over the press it's on your mind all day, i went for a smear a couple of months ago and the woman said well done for coming most women don't

See JAF, if you'd left it, gawd knows what would've become of it.  It's imperative that we all (lads/men as well) get anything abnormal checked 

Well it's just sensible advice to watch what you eat and drink and smoke - no one has to listen to that advice if they don't want to.
As for breast cancer, one of the things that they mentioned almost as an aside is that there is reputable evidence that breast feeding your kids can help to prevent breast cancer. It's not as simple as that I know but imo there should be a lot more promotion of breast feeding and a lot more support for women who do it. There should also be a lot more emphasis on family history of cancer
A lot of my family/friends live around Heathrow airport and a lot of them have had breast problems. Cancer, cysts, abcesses etc. Personally I believe that the pollution from aircraft is a big factor

youre right sprout i didnt enjoy any of it 1 bit and ive been a mess for 6 months but hospital telling me they are happy and a smear in a year will be ok was the best news i couldnt get out of that hospital quick enough, mums 50 and shes having a mammogram next week she hummed and arrrd but i told her to get her back side there and get it done.

and to Aimee

It's sad for those that don't though Veggie, knowing that they could've changed things

JAF  and hope it goes well for your mam