Socioeconomic Status

High socioeconomic status (SES), which is most often defined by high income and/or high education level, has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer [145-150]. This increased risk is not due to the higher SES itself (higher income or higher education level), but rather to differences in risk factors found in women of different education and income levels [145-151]. For example, compared to women of lower SES, women of higher SES are more likely to:

• Have their first child at a later age  
• Have fewer children  
• Use menopausal hormone therapy (postmenopausal hormones)  
• Use birth control pills  
• Drink alcohol 

These factors increase the risk of breast cancer [147,145-151].

Updated 11/01/12

Body Weight and Weight Gain

Drinking Alcohol