What are my risk factors for cancer with the onset of menopause?
While overall cancer risk specifically associated with the onset of menopause is minimal, Canadian doctors agree that the following factors need to be considered when assessing a women’s risk of cancer: • Body weight (if 20 per cent overweight) • Age at puberty • Age at childbirth, especially if pregnancies were delayed • Breastfeeding history • Current age • Alcohol consumption • Smoking • Physical fitness • Family history (presence of one or more affected first order relatives) • Hormone therapy use
