What do you think caused your breast cancer?

When I found out I had BC, I knew exactly why. I have always known that my grandmother died of breast cancer at the age of 32. I was always told by doctors when I voiced my concern, oh, don't worry about it, it was on your father's side. I had gene testing done after I found out I had BC.... I have the BRCA 1 gene mutation. I believe my BC was delayed in my later life (age 60) because I was a runner that never had a period and when I got married, I was on birth control pills, then had 2 babies. I had the oblation to my uterus when my youngest daughter was 1. Now my oldest daughter was tested and has the BRCA 1 gene same as me and her doctor put her on the birth control pills to prevent the cells separating, hence prevent BC. That's the theory now, anyways. I had TNBC, diagnosed 3 years ago and will be 3 years cancer free next March! I am so grateful for every day and never said, "Why me"....Life is good! God Bless, everyone!

@seathink 🥰🥰🥰

@debdeb1 same thing. Exactly like you. I was the first one in my family. Exercise, I am petite not overweight and never been, I don't think, I have never smoked. Diagnosed last year.

@mimi09 Thank you so much for reading my message and for your kind words. Being part of this group and sharing my experience is a very important part of my healing. I’m truly grateful for the support and the connection we all find here.

I too wondered what caused my TNBC at age 67. I had enjoyed perfect health up until then. I did drink plenty of wine, slept with a silicone patch between my breasts to prevent wrinkles, took the heavy duty birth control pills from the 70’s for ten years, and more. When I asked my doctors, they said you’ll never know (as I have no genetic factors)-it’s just bad luck.

I have posted this graphic before, but will again as it illustrates how complicated the question is.

Alcohol. Period.

@cmdw2600 thank you. Chart is very interesting. I myself drank alot everyday for a year and ate alot of processed meats. Makes me think...

Stress and or trauma.

@cmdw2600 thank you for posting this graph, I wish we could blow it up and put it on the front page of this thread.
We cannot control all of these things. I believe in today’s world we can control even less of these things than our mothers did 30 or 40 years ago.
To many chemicals in……….everything. Too much plastic, too fast a pace, and too little peace. It all adds up.
Even if you lived on a mountain top in Tibet, you could still get breast cancer.
I lived a pretty darn healthy lifestyle and carried a tiny amount of body fat, still got it in my 30’s. You can’t buy good genes.
I love the pink ribbons and all the other colors too. It reminds us that there are people going through a lot and we could donate to help, or just smile and say hello in there.
How can we move forward with purpose?

@maryliz22503
You may be correct, but triple negative means the type does not have the estrogen positive factor. The estrogen positive carries a greater risk from alcohol, I believe.
All of my doctors have said I can have a glass with dinner (which is what I do). My husband has Parkinson’s and enjoying a nice dinner with a glass of wine is one of life’s remaining pleasures.

I know there has been much in the news of late about the risks of alcohol consumption, but I often think of the super agers that consume the Mediterranean diet-including a small amount of wine. It may be viewed that I am rationalizing and perhaps I am, and I definitely don’t want to start controversy on this topic. Just stating my decision after weighing pros and cons.

Here are a couple excerpts from studies on Triple Negative. Click on photo for full view.

I sincerely extend best wishes to all on this site,
Cindy