News > Here's how smoking can increase risk of breast cancer in young women

Here's how smoking can increase risk of breast cancer in young women

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide, though it can also occur in men. While breast cancer can develop in different parts of the breast, it most commonly starts in the milk ducts or glands. Smoking is linked to a higher risk of oestrogen-receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. Carcinogens in cigarettes can damage breast cells’ DNA, increasing the likelihood of harmful mutations.