Introduction

Breast cancer is very well known to be the most common tumor worldwide.
Nearly 2.3 million new cases were diagnosed in 2020 globally, representing
about 11.7% of all new cancer cases. Breast cancer affects both males and
females, but it’s far more common in females, which is why researches are
focusing on female breast cancer. [2]

In Iraq, breast cancer was ranked first among cancers diagnosed in women.
In the past two decades, the incidence of all cases of breast cancer in women
of all ages has increased. It has increased from 26.6 per 100,000 in 2000, to
31.5 per 100,000 in 2009, which is approximately a 1.14% increase. [3]

A deeper look to the factors that could lead to breast cancer in females,
which might give a better chance of early detection of the tumor and help in
its treatment, is therefore has a special importance. However, understanding
the risk factors, means understanding the cases that are likely to develop
breast cancer, but having one or several factors does not necessarily mean
the patient will get breast cancer. [4]
The objective of this review is to explore the most important risk factors of
breast cancer and their importance in understanding this disese like age,
gender, genetics, personal or family history of breast cancer, lifestyle risk
factors like obesity, smoking, radiation and/or hormonal therapy, the use of
contraceptives, and other risk factors.

References
[1] A Comprehensive Guide to Breast Cancer, Healthline Media. Last medically reviewed
on February 21, 2019. https://www.healthline.com/health/breast-cancer

[2] Globocan 2020, WHO. https://gco.iarc.fr/today/data/factsheets/cancers/20 -Breast-

factsheet.pdf

[3] Breast cancer in Iraq, incidence trends from 2000-2009. Muzahem Mohammed Yahya
Al- Hashimi and Xiang Jun Wang. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24528040/

[4] Breast Cancer, Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-

conditions/breastcancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352470