Risk Factors as Biomarkers of Susceptibility in Breast Cancer

Abstract Over the entire span of their lives women and postmenopausal women especially have an 11% risk of developing breast cancer, making this the most widespread malignancy among women. Adenocarcinomas are the most common type of cancer, almost excluding lymphoma and sarcoma pathology. Both noninvasive and invasive breast tumors usually originate in the lobules and ducts, and their specific morphology becomes evident via microscopic examination, which provides decisive histological data to distinguish lobular from ductal carcinoma. Consequently, this chapter will focus on presenting breast cancer risk factors in detail, including a description of life stage–related risks, the prognostic factors, the detection and screening procedures, and the therapeutic implications of the genetic biomarkers. Male breast cancer pathology will also be addressed.