What are "carcinogens" and how are they related to breast cancer?

What are "carcinogens" and how are they related to breast cancer?

Richard E. Gould (Hematologist/Oncologist, Cedars-Sinai Outpatient Cancer Center) gives expert video advice on: What are the most common types of breast cancer?; What causes breast cancer?; Is breast cancer fatal? and more...

With regards to breast cancer basics, carcinogens are compounds or chemicals that increase our risk for developing cancer. Specifically for breast cancer, alcohol has been related with an increased risk of developing breast cancer, and with smoking there's some evidence to suggest that it may increase the risk of breast cancer too. It's not as strong as the link between smoking and lung cancer, but there does seem to be a link between smoking and breast cancer.