Cancers develop when the cells in a particular area of the body become abnormal and these cells then grow and spread uncontrolled. Normally cell production, growth and function is controlled by the DNA in the nucleus of our cells. DNA is split up into genes which provide detailed instructions to the cell regarding its growth, multiplication and function. Anything which can damage DNA may cause the genes to be faulty and this can lead to a cancer. As we get older, our DNA and genes may become faulty and that is why some cancers – including breast cancer – are more common in the older age group. 

However DNA and genes can be faulty also as a result of lifestyle choices and behaviours which may damage DNA. DNA and genes can also be inherited with a fault or alteration and this causes hereditary cancer.

All of us have our own individual risk of breast cancer based on this interplay between lifestyle and inherited genetic risk.  However we do not know what that risk is. But we all have the opportunity to reduce our risk. BYB‘s aim is to facilitate that risk-reduction through education at a time when lifestyle behaviours are developing and young adults begin to make their own choices. Also by training medical students as our co-presenters and by educating doctors in their training, who can work with their patients to do the same.