Socioeconomic Status

High socioeconomic status (SES) is most often defined by:

High income and/or
High education level

High SES has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer [362-368].

This increased risk is not related to higher SES itself. It’s related to differences in risk factors found in women with different education and income levels [362-368].

For example, compared to women with lower SES, studies show women with higher SES are more likely to [362-365,368]:

Each of these factors is related to an increased risk of breast cancer [362-365,368].

Learn about other risk factors for breast cancer.

Socioeconomic status and breast cancer screening and treatment

SES may also affect how likely a woman is to get breast cancer screening and how likely she is to have access to timely and high-quality care [369]. For example, women who have health insurance are more likely than women who don’t have health insurance to get screening mammograms [6].

Learn more about breast cancer screening among different groups of women.

Learn about Susan G. Komen^®’s commitment to health equity.

1. Know your risk

Talk with both sides of your family to learn about your family health history.
Talk with a health care provider about your risk of breast cancer.

2. Get screened

Talk with a health care provider about which screening tests are right for you if you’re at higher risk.
Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you’re at average risk.*
Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at age 25, and every year starting at age 40.*

* Per National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines

3. Know what is normal for you

See a health care provider if you notice any of these breast changes:

Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area
Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast
Change in the size or shape of the breast
Dimpling or puckering of the skin
Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
Pulling in of the nipple or other parts of the breast
Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
New pain in one spot that doesn’t go away

To see illustrations of these warning signs, please visit the Warning Signs of Breast Cancer page.

4. Make healthy lifestyle choices

Maintain a healthy weight.
Make exercise part of your routine.
Limit alcohol intake.
Limit menopausal hormone therapy (postmenopausal hormone use).
Breastfeed if you can.

Updated 12/23/25

This content is regularly reviewed by an expert panel including researchers, practicing clinicians and patient advocates.

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