Breast Cancer Risk Factors: Being Born Female

Being born female is the main risk factor for breast cancer.

The following is a 3D interactive model showing breast anatomy. The labels highlight different parts of the breast.

Men don’t have the same complex breast growth and development as women.

Although men can get breast cancer, it’s about 100 times more common in women [41].

For example, in 2021 (most recent data available), the incidence rates (new cases per year) were [41]:

	Women	Men
Incidence rate	134.3 per 100,000	1.3 per 100,000

Learn more about breast cancer in men.

View an image of male breast anatomy.

Learn about other factors linked to the risk of breast cancer.

Updated 05/16/24