Home > About breast cancer > Breast awareness & risk factors > Risk factors > Established risk factors

Starting periods early or having a late menopause

Women who started their periods before the age of 12 or went through the menopause after the age of 55 may have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer.

This is probably because they are exposed to oestrogen for longer durations than women who started their periods later or had the menopause earlier.

This doesn’t mean that your risk of breast cancer will suddenly increase if you start your periods at 12 or enter the menopause at 55. There will be a gradual increase in breast cancer risk the earlier you start your periods or the later you enter the menopause.

For more information see the fact sheet Menarche, Menopause and Breast Cancer Risk: the Facts

Also within "Breast awareness & risk factors"

Breakthrough's Breast Health Promotion Work
NHS screening programme
Reducing your risk
Body Talk
Breast awareness
Risk factors
- Established risk factors
- - Alcohol
  - Exposure to ionising radiation
  - Height
  - Breastfeeding
  - Family history and genetic factors
  - Gender
  - Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
  - Pregnancy
  - The contraceptive pill
  - Weight
  - Age
  - Starting periods early or having a late menopause
  - Exercise
  - Proliferative benign breast conditions
- Possible risk factors
- Doubtful risk factors