Breast cancer is a major public health problem affecting thousands of women. Its cause(s) are unknown and the strategy to reduce its mortality is based on early detection through screening and treatment according to national guidelines. An essential component of disease prevention and screening is knowledge of which women are at risk and why, so they may be targeted for preventative, curative or palliative interventions. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that globally breast cancer places the highest burden on women’s health when compared to other cancer sites.