What Caused My Breast Cancer?

There is no one who can answer that question.

I have no immediate relative who has had breast cancer or any other type of cancer. So it does not seem genetic.

They call cancer as "lifestyle" disease. Here are the more common risk factors and some "un-confirmed" causes and a review of my own circumstances.

Age: Risk increases with age. I am only 36 years old during diagnosis. NOT THE CAUSE. Surprisingly, I found so many young breast cancer stories online.

Use of birth control pills: I used pills for a total of 9 months only. For a period of 3 months, a 2 year break, then 6 months. NOT THE CAUSE.

Poor Diet: I would fairly say that I am health conscious. You won't see any instant noodles in my pantry. Hotdogs are for my kids only. Soda, doughnut, cakes...sugar is a once a week treat.  I eat chocolates on a daily basis though..meals are mostly meat. I liked beef, once or twice a week. Fair amount of fruits and vegetables. I've been juicing for about a year, 1 to 2 times a week. My general health exam results in March 2015 were very good!  My mostly meat diet MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED, meat nowadays contain high levels of growth hormones. Chicken used to be full grown by 45 days, now they only need 28 days. Animal feed ads proudly display "bilis laki, bilis kita" (quicker growth, quiker $$$).  Sadly, I've seen people eat worse. 

Stress: Who is not stressed in this life? MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED, my oncologist advised me to avoid stress. 

Obesity and Lack of Exercise: Based on the World Health Organization BMI tables, my weight was on the normal range.  Asian tables however say I am partially obese. On heavy days, I would be 62 Kg, standing 157 cm. I am guilty of having a sedentary lifestyle, my reqular exercise would a be a daily 15 minute walk to and from the office. MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED.

Use of Anti-perspirant: Daily use, just like so many other women out there. NOT THE CAUSE.

Alcohol and Smoking: I love myself to be doing these! NOT THE CAUSE.

I spent weeks reading but can't really find the true root cause. There's probably something wrong within my body that caused this. They say that one should look 5 and 10 years before diagnosis. Well, 5 and 10 years ago were when I conceived my pretty babies.  Hormones are lower during pregnancy, studies suggest that having multiple pregnancies reduce the risk of breast cancer.

However I try to fit the pieces, I won't be able to find out now what caused my breast cancer. But I am hoping that one day, researchers would be able to tell.